Zinc

Roles in the Body

Activator of many key enzymes, growth and development, male reproductive system, insulin production and secretion, prevention of cadmium and copper toxicity.

Function of Zinc

• Circulatory - maintenance of artery walls
• Respiratory - removal of carbon dioxide and maintenance of acid-base balance
• Digestive - production of digestive enzymes, and normal liver function
• Nervous - essential for brain development and neurotransmitters
• Special senses - appetite regulation, smell and taste
• Reproductive - testes, ovaries, prostate, male fertility
• Endocrine - insulin and pituitary gonadotropin secretion
• Blood - red blood cells and blood proteins
• Skeletal - bone integrity, prevention of osteoporosis
• Skin - requited for normal integrity of hair, nail and skin
• Protective - required for wound healing and integrity of the immune system
• Metabolic - normal carbohydrate and protein metabolism
• Detoxification - assists in removing toxic accumulation of cadmium and copper psychological - powerful mood stabilizing and sedating mineral

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms

alcoholic cirrhosis, arteriosclerosis, cadmium toxicity, carbohydrate intolerance, conditions due to birth defects, copper toxicity, diabetes, emotional problems, failure to thrive, fatigue, hypoglycaemia, hypothyroidism, impotence, lack of taste and smell, low appetite, nervousness, poor wound healing, prostate problems

Zinc Excess Symptoms

anaemia, iron deficiency, diarrhea, depression, mental, nausea, vomiting

Synergetic Nutrients

magnesium, vitamin A, D, E, B6, high-protein diet

Antagonistic Nutrients

Absorption - copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, manganese, selenium, phytic acid, vegetarian diets, soy, cereals, fibre in diet
Metabolic - copper, iron, cadmium

Hair Analysis Notes

Zinc is considered a masculine mineral, because of its importance in the formation of male sexual hormones.

High Hair Zinc Level

• An elevated zinc level may be due to a loss of zinc from the body tissues. In these cases, zinc supplements will often be recommended.
• Zinc levels may appear high to help compensate for copper toxicity. Thus high zinc can be a tipoff of a hidden copper toxicity.
• Use of Head and Shoulders shampoo occasionally results in an elevated zinc reading. Cadmium toxicity can cause a zinc reading to appear high.

Low Hair Zinc

• Zinc will often read low if the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5:1. In this case, it is not always wise to give much zinc.
• Zinc is commonly low in fast oxidizers.
• Very low zinc levels are often associated with emotional instability and with problems of growth and development in children.

Reasons for Zinc Supplementation

• To lower sodium and raise potassium
• To lower copper and cadmium
• To raise phosphorus

Sources

Seafood - oysters, herring
Nuts/seeds - sunflower, pumpkin
Grains - wheat germ
Fruits - Apples, pears,
Vegetables - kale, lettuce, asparagus
Miscellaneous - brewer's yeasts, maple syrup, bone meal, gluten,

The Effects of Zinc on Personality

Key words: steadiness, gentle strength, a masculine element

Low Zinc: male impotency, emotional instability, effeminate, mood swings, panic attacks, in extreme - schizophrenia

High Zinc: total lack of emotion, martyr attitude

Interaction Chart