Zinc: Vital Nutrient for Healthy Immune System

By HelloLife

What is zinc?

Zinc is an essential mineral that contains more than 200 enzymes. Zinc functions more as enzymatic reactions more than any other mineral. Our body absorbs only the needed amount of zinc and the rest is eliminated in feces. Zinc is stored in many places in the body - the bones, eyes, fingernails, hair, kidneys, liver, pancreas, prostate gland, skin, sperm, and voluntary muscles. Ironically, zinc is absorbed only through the small intestine. Because the zinc eliminates unneeded amounts of zinc, it's important that the body constantly replace zinc. Above all its benefits, zinc is known as an immune system booster. Zinc has antiviral activity. When the zinc levels rise in the body, T cells and thymic hormone levels decrease, and some white blood cell functions stop functioning. In its highest concentration, zinc can be found in oysters. You will also find zinc in fish, red meat, and shellfish. Zinc, when consumed as found in these foods, is easily absorbable. Almonds, Brazil nuts, green peas, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts contain significant amounts of zinc. Zinc can also be found in supplements. There is a dietary supplement which guarantees to support your healthy immune system. Zinc found in brown rice, cereals, corn, legumes, non-fermented soyfood, and wheat contain certain amounts of phytic acid, which restricts the benefits and makes it unabsorbable. The most important functions of zinc include:

1. Zinc supports many enzymatic systems in the body. This involves alcohol metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy production, fighting against free radicals, immune function, and protein digestion.

2. Zinc supports proper prostate and reproduction health.

3. Zinc supports immune function and is directly responsible for infection prevention.

4. Zinc supports the proper functioning of the thymus. This is important because it's the thymus that carefully directs the functions of the immune system.

Why is your immune system important?

Our immune system is important to our health. Our immune system actually has a series of responsibilities that include preventing unwanted intruders to invade our body. Our immune system can also identify the body or something that is foreign to the body. The antigen-specific, memory, and systemic properties are parts of the immunity system. If the body doesn't recognize a cell, it attacks it. If the immunity system happens to break down, it could be a matter of seconds or minutes until we would die. Autoimmune diseases result from a weakened immune system.

Why is zinc vital for your immune system?

Zinc has beneficial properties, from the skin to gene regulation, for our immune system. Zinc is absolutely important for cell functioning. Zinc deficiency can affect the body's immunity, B lymphocyte and antibody growth and production, and macrophage functions. Zinc affects the immunological mediators that include cell activation and division, DNA replication, and RNA transcription. Zinc deficiency also causes apoptosis, this is cell death that is programmed by the body. Zinc also acts like an antioxidant and stabilizes cell membranes. Zinc is tantamount for the proper functioning and development of the immune system. There are more than 100 enzymes in our body that are dependent on zinc!

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamins-supplements-8/supplement-guide-zinc

http://children.webmd.com/features/zinc-for-pneumonia