10 Signs of Zinc Deficiency & the Best Foods to Remedy It!

300 billion new cells are produced every day. 300 million old cells die every minute.

Therefore every minute our DNA is under attack.

If we don't have enough nutrients or we are undernourished our DNA cannot repair itself correctly — and this is why we have an explosion of serious disease especially cancer.

This Breakdown Escalates As We Age

As many as 40% of older people are especially deficient in this one nutrient. (1) But you can help protect your DNA and possibly reverse the ageing process with the help of this one simple mineral.

I'm talking about zinc.

Health Experts say as many as two billion people around the world have diets deficient in zinc — and studies at Oregon State University are raising concerns about the health implications this holds for infectious disease, immune function, DNA damage and cancer.

Zinc Can Help Us To...

• Repair damaged DNA
• Improve our immune system
• May help fight cancer
• Helps with heart health
• Improves depression
• Essential for prostate health
• Improves libido / sexual performance
• Promotes wound healing
• Improves skin
• Helps with detoxification

Unfortunately I see patients every day who are dangerously low in Zinc. And it's easy to get the zinc you need for your health cells, if you partner it with a fat soluble substance, or an ionophore. Without this, Zinc is like a smoking gun.

The Top 10 Zinc Foods Are...

Here's the kicker though — your body can only absorb 15 to 40% of zinc from food. Unfortunately if you are low in zinc, food doesn't supply you with adequate amounts.

Are You at Risk?

Are you older than 50? The people with the following health conditions are most susceptible to zinc deficiency: (3)

• Alcoholism – Linked to poor zinc absorption.
• Diabetes – Most doctors agree that diabetics should use zinc products cautiously.
• Hemodialysis – Patients are also at risk for zinc deficiency.
• HIV/AIDS – Zinc should be used cautiously in HIV/AIDS patients.
• Nutrient absorption syndromes – Malabsorption syndromes put people at a greater risk.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – RA patients absorb less zinc and may require supplementation.

Also at risk: (4)

• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Malnourished individuals, including anorexics and bulimics.
• Individuals with severe or persistent diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Older adults (65 years and older).
• Strict vegetarians – The requirement for dietary zinc may be as much as 50% greater.

Zinc Dosage

50 mg of Zinc sulphate in liquid form is one the best because of its ease of digestion. One challenge with Zinc is that if you have tested low, it can make you feel nauseous. Start with a smaller dose and build up over time to the 50mg recommended dose. It's best taken 1 hour before food either as you wake or before you go to bed.

Here's an Interesting Look at Zinc and Depression

Depression is still the leading cause of disability worldwide, with 1 in 6 Australians experiencing the mental illness at some stage of their lives. A recent Australian study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders (5) found that low dietary zinc intake was associated with a greater incidence of depression in both men and women.

Wayne's comment: B6 is another nutrient to consider with depression, especially both forms of B6 as demonstrated by Dr Carl Pfeiffer and the William Walsh Institute. (6) Don't take Zinc if your levels are ok — that's why it's important to get your zinc levels tested regularly.

The Question Is... Do You Have Any Signs of Zinc Deficiency?

If you are a member of our clinic and would like to have your zinc levels tested just let Wayne know at your next consultation.

P.S. 300 million cells every minute need your help and zinc is essential.

References

1. Oregon State University, "Zinc Deficiencies A Global Concern." Sept.17, 2009. | 2. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/ | 3. webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-982-zinc | 4. lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/zinc#deficiency | 5. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032711003533 | 6. walshinstitute.org/nutrient-power.html