Zinc is an essential trace mineral. Zinc is the second most common mineral in your body and is found in every cell, although its concentration is 10-15 times higher in the male prostate than in any other body tissue. Proper zinc levels offer a defense against the entrance of pathogens. In the 1800’s, noting its many healing properties, surgeons used zinc as an antiseptic/antibiotic after surgery. When zinc was used, wounds would heal as quickly as 24 hours after an operation, without swelling, and scarring was barely noticeable after a short period of time. Like colloidal silver, liquid zinc is anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
Today, supplemental zinc has been found to hinder the progress of macular degeneration, which is an eye disease that affects the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Zinc has also been used with other natural health remedies as it has shown to speed up the healing of stomach ulcers, and help combat zinc deficiencies in those with sickle-cell disease.
In low doses, zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the time it takes for individuals to get over colds, and also to lessen the severity of cold symptoms. A study reported by Reuters in 2008 showed that zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of colds in study subjects. Led by Dr. Ananda S. Prasad from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, the study looked at the impact of the lozenges on 50 volunteers with colds. All of the volunteers had cold symptoms for less than 24 hours before taking part in the study. Among the group who received the lozenges, 56 percent were completely “cold free” within four days, as compared to an average of seven days for the placebo group.
Zinc is present in all the body’s organs and fluids, but the prostate has a higher concentration than any other tissue except bone. Scientists don’t know why it has so much zinc. Among other functions, though, the metal has a role in regulating the balance between testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, the two male hormones that stimulate the growth of prostate cells, both benign and malignant. Although normal prostate tissue has lots of zinc, cancerous tissue has much less. That may be the reason zinc is turning up in so many supplements for men.
Meats like beef and lamb also contain high amounts of zinc. The best common plant sources of zinc are legumes, nuts, seeds, and oatmeal. The amount of zinc present in these foods tends to run about 2 mg per serving. Obviously, it’s much less than found in meat; but you will get some. This is also where supplementing Zinc especially if you are deficient or showing signs such as frequent colds may be beneficial.
Be sure to check out our zinc lozenges and zinc supplements on your next visit to Whitaker’s Natural Market.
