• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • COVID-19 & Immunity
  • The Wellness Project
  • Find a Practitioner
  • Member Login
  • Cart

Membership

Price-Pottenger

Nutrition Foundation

  • COVID-19 & Immunity
  • Find a Practitioner
  • Member Login

Donate

Join Now

  • Featured Content
    • Blog
    • News for Now
    • Thrive in 65
  • Journal
  • Research Archives
  • Healthy Living Tips
    • Traditional Diet
    • What Should I Eat?
  • Learn
    • Courses
    • Lectures
    • The Wellness Project
  • Store
  • Cart
  • About Us
    • Vision & Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Printed Journal
    • Leadership
    • Contact Us

Want to read full Journal?

Join
Price-Pottenger

Access to all articles, new health classes, discounts in our store, and more!

See Member Benefits

Already a member? Log in here

COVID-19 & Immunity

8 Health Benefits of Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral well known for its immune-related benefits. It is also vital for many enzyme reactions in the body and supports healthy cognition.

What is Zinc?

Zinc is an important mineral that is found in many foods. It is an essential mineral that becomes more important depending on certain factors. For example, people who do not eat enough zinc-containing foods or who sweat a lot may have higher zinc requirements or be at risk for lower levels since zinc can be lost through sweat. Insulin resistance can also suppress the body’s zinc levels.

Zinc is also important for healthy fetal growth and development during pregnancy, but also in infancy and childhood. Low levels can compromise immune system function. While high doses are not recommended, a higher intake for one or two weeks during the course of illness may be recommended by your healthcare provider and has not been shown to have serious side effects.

Zinc may be a useful nutrient for treating health problems like macular degeneration and HIV/AIDS.

Zinc must be consumed every day because the body has no way of storing this essential nutrient. The absorption of zinc can be decreased when too many phytates or antinutrients are consumed. These are typically found in grains, nuts, and seeds.

Health Benefits of Zinc

  • Supports optimal immune function
  • Supports healthy cellular metabolism
  • Promotes healthy levels of testosterone
  • Promotes normal enzyme reactions
  • Supports healthy cognition and brain function
  • Protects against acne
  • Supports healthy neurotransmitter levels
  • Is necessary for reproductive health

Food Sources of Zinc

Zinc is found in many foods, including:

  • Oysters
  • Beef
  • Crab
  • Lobster
  • Pork
  • Chicken
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Cashews

Zinc Supplements

Zinc supplements should always be taken with food to prevent nausea but also to optimize absorption.

When someone does not get enough zinc from dietary sources, insulin sensitivity and testosterone levels can be suppressed.

Zinc is often widely considered to help prevent or treat common colds, cases of flu, and other infections. Research finds that zinc is primarily good at addressing throat and nasal symptoms, although it can’t necessarily prevent or cure any type of sickness.

Too much zinc can cause a deficiency in copper.

People who are at risk for having low or deficient zinc levels include:

  • Those who have malabsorption diseases
  • People with chronic alcoholism
  • Vegetarians or vegans who eat high-phytate plant-based diets and do not consume animal products
  • Infants who are preterm or low birth weight
  • Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • People with chronic diarrhea
  • People who have sickle cell anemia
  • Those who are over age 65

Today’s Simple Step

While oysters provide a high amount of zinc, most people aren’t eating these regularly. But beef, chicken, and pork are good sources, too.

Today’s Recipe

These Short Ribs with Coffee and Chile Sauce are a spicy way to get some zinc on your dinner plate. Pair them with your favorite vegetable side dish and maybe some soaked or sprouted grains, and you’ll enjoy a well-rounded meal.


View the complete Thrive in 65 series. >>>

Filed Under: Thrive In 65

Primary Sidebar

Featured Product

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price, DDS

A renowned dentist and researcher, Dr. Weston A. Price, DDS, and his wife traveled the world...

Get The Product >>

Featured Content

Decades of Journals!

Did you know ...? Price-Pottenger members can flip through decades of printed Journals (since the late 1970s), in an online magazine interface! Just click through to the Journals section and select Digital Journals to see them all.

Browse the Journals >>

Featured Course

Dr. Terry Wahls: Healing Chronic Disease with Traditional Foods

Have you been told you have an autoimmune condition or chronic illness? Or a condition that can’t...

Take The Course >>

Footer

Join our community!

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Healthy Living Topics

  • Dental Health
  • Diet & Weight Loss
  • Environment
  • Epigenetics
  • Fertility, Prenatal & Childhood Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • GMOs
  • Health Conditions
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Hormones
  • Mental Health
  • Natural Beauty & Anti-Aging
  • Natural Medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Organic & Nutrient-Dense Foods
  • Pets
  • Recipes & Food Preparation
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Toxins & Detoxification
  • Vaccines
  • Vitamins, Minerals & Other Nutrients
  • Publications & Resources
  • Price-Pottenger Journal
    • – MEMBERS: The Latest Journal
    • – ALL: Sample Our Journal
  • Brochures
  • – Dr. Weston A. Price Discoveries
  • – Why Are These People So Healthy?
  • – Dr. Price’s Tribal Food and Cavity Chart

About Us

  • Our History
  • Our Journal
  • Our Board

Join our community!

Receive updates on news, in-depth articles, education programs and more.

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Price Pottenger
  • 1-800-366-3748
  • 619-462-7600
  • A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
  • Tax ID# 95-6104419
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright © 2022 Price – Pottenger
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Youtube