Why ZINC is Back and the best for your client's skin.

According to researchers at the Department of Dermatology at the University of California,

zinc plays an essential role in numerous biochemical pathways: organ systems, including the integumentary, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems. Research confirms that zinc deficiency results in dysfunction of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity and increases the susceptibility to infection.

?We know that nutrition plays an important role in skin and age management, whether available through the food we eat or through supplements, it pays to know how best to support and skin and body.?In this article, we look at the all-important mineral zinc and the benefits of its internal function, as well as its topical application for skin healing and protection.?

If your aim is to optimise skin healing and improve overall immune support, then gaining a better understanding of the role of zinc will be valuable to you.?This article will present some of the recent studies on the benefits of zinc for skin health and well-being.

Zinc, which is in fact a type of metal, is an essential trace element that is needed in small amounts every day to maintain health and perform important functions.?Zinc benefits the body in many ways - it helps with?hormone production, growth and in supporting the health and repair of tissues, improves immunity and facilitates digestion. Zinc benefits also include its ability to act as an anti-inflammatory agent, therefore it may have significant therapeutic benefits for several common, chronic diseases like fighting cancer or reversing heart disease as well playing an important role in skin healing.

Zinc is present within all bodily tissue and needed for healthy cell division. It acts like an antioxidant within the body,?fighting free-radical damage and slowing the ageing process. Become of zinc's impact on hormonal balance, even a small zinc deficiency?can result in an increased risk for infertility or diabetes.

According to researchers at the Department of Dermatology at the University of California,

zinc plays an essential role in numerous biochemical pathways: organ systems, including the integumentary, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems. Research confirms that zinc deficiency results in dysfunction of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity and increases the susceptibility to infection.

Without enough zinc present in your diet, it’s possible to experience negative reactions like frequently getting sick, feeling like you’re always tired and run down, poor concentration, stunted growth, and the inability to heal wounds.

How common is zinc deficiency?

Zinc deficiency is not uncommon admits Samir Samman, Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Sydney. “This is partly because people are eating less zinc-rich foods, such as red meat and seafood, and partly because food-processing methods that make plant-based zinc more readily absorbed by the body – such as germination, soaking and fermentation – are not commonly used in Australian households,” he stated.

HOW DO i KNOW IF I AM DEFICIENT?

“In Australia, we don’t see ‘overt’ symptoms of zinc deficiency very often”, says Assoc Prof Samman. “However, borderline symptoms are quite common. These are sometimes difficult to pin down as a zinc deficiency, however, there are many tests available to detect a zinc deficiency, including taste tests, blood tests, hair tests, urine tests and measuring certain enzymes. A blood test may be the most reliable, but most of these tests are only useful if you have a severe deficiency, says Assoc Prof Samman. Additionally, none of them are conclusive, which makes diagnosis quite difficult.?However, observing the symptoms of deficiency may alert you to investigate further.

?The most common signs and symptoms associated with zinc deficiency include:

*?Changes in appetite, including food cravings for salty or sweet foods

*?Changes in ability to taste and smell

*?Weight gain or loss

*?Hair loss

*?Digestive problems, including diarrhoea

*?Chronic fatigue?syndrome

*?Infertility

*?Hormonal problems, including worsened PMS or menopause symptoms

*?Low immunity

*?Poor concentration and memory

*?Slowed ability to heal wounds, skin infections or irritation

*?Nerve dysfunction

What happens if it’s left unchecked?

?“Zinc is involved in many different functions in the body – we know it’s connected with hundreds of different enzymes involved in metabolism, it’s involved in interacting with DNA and it’s important for the cells to function – so a zinc deficiency can be quite serious”, says Assoc Prof Samman.

“Long term deficiencies can lead to decreased immune function, increased susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections (like pneumonia and infective diarrhoea), stunted growth in children and poor healing of wounds.”

Boost your intake

If you eat meat, increase your intake of lean red meat, dairy foods and seafood. If you don’t eat animal products, it’s very important to break down the components in plant foods that prevent zinc from being absorbed by the body. Soaking and sprouting legumes and nuts or choosing plant-based foods that have been fermented (e.g. choosing sourdough bread, which has undergone a fermentation process) also helps your body absorb zinc.?As zinc is readily found in meat and fish it is not uncommon for vegetarians to be zinc deficient. You may also want to consider supplementation.?The recommended daily intake is as follows:

Men 14yrs +: 14mg

Women 19+: 8mg

Pregnant: 10–11mg

Lactating: 11–12mg

However, if you consume more than 40mg/day (from food and supplements) this can result in adverse effects, so consult your doctor before taking them.

Foods High in Zinc Include:

Oysters, Beef, Spinach, Pork, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Lentils, Chickpeas, Chicken, Cheese, Dark Chocolate/Cacao, Oatmeal and Milk.

ZINC FIGHTS OFF DEPRESSION

In a 2013 review?on the role of zinc in major depression, neuroscientists describe how?zinc-containing neurons regulate the brain and body’s response to stress. Low levels of zinc and zinc deficiency are linked to higher levels of depression. A recent study found that patients receiving a zinc supplement in combination with antidepressant therapy had significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared with those receiving antidepressants alone.

ZINC AND SKIN HEALTH

Several studies have confirmed the benefit of skin in wound healing and in helping acne lesions.?Here is just a brief summary of ways that zinc can assist in skin conditions:

ACNE

Several studies confirm the benefit of zinc in reducing inflammation in acne lesions.?In a Swedish dermatological study, doctors found that the severity of acne lesions decreased from 100 percent to 15 percent in patients receiving 12 weeks of treatment with zinc sulphate (taken orally).

Used topically as zinc oxide included in lotions and creams it delivers effective skin astringent properties. You can apply zinc oxide to keep excess oils from forming on the surface and this is why it is sometimes included in acne treatment formulations.?It is believed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and reduce skin irritation and inflammation, reducing the number and severity of acne breakouts.

HEALING OF CUTS AND WOUNDS

Zinc deficiency slows the healing of cuts and infections, so getting enough from the foods we eat or taking a zinc supplement is essential to protect our skin. But in a study published in the journal Wound Repair and Regeneration, researchers noted that topical use?of zinc appears to be better at treating skin wounds than oral therapy.

According to the authors, topical zinc therapy is underappreciated even though clinical evidence emphasises its importance in auto-debridement, anti-infective action, and promotion of epithelialisation. For those who are not familiar with the term debridement - this involves the removal of necrotic tissue to promote wound healing.

ZINC OXIDE AS AN EFFECTIVE SUNBLOCK

We’ve been slathering ourselves in sunscreen for years, to protect our skin from the sun and prevent skin cancer. But now some ingredients in chemical sunscreens?have been identified as hazardous, leading to a trend towards physical agents such as zinc and titanium dioxide.

Zinc oxide is a mineral that is not soluble in water, but it does dissolve in acidic environments. It is known best as an effective ingredient in sunscreen lotions. When applied topically, zinc oxide offers several important benefits for the skin.

According to Dr. Marilynn Syrett, zinc oxide is one of the safest ingredients for protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. As we are aware UV rays penetrate the skin and damage tissue, speeding up the ageing process and drying the skin, while also increasing the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide filter out UV rays, keeping them from penetrating the skin and causing cell damage.

Skin Healing

Zinc oxide is also effective for healing the skin. It can be used to heal wounds, reduce the tenderness associated with sunburns and soften chapped skin. Studies suggest that people who are zinc deficient typically experience slower wound-healing times. When zinc oxide is applied to the wound area, it provides the body with the extra zinc it needs to repair skin cells. Zinc oxide helps keep the wound area moist and clean.

TOP HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZINC

1.?Increases Immunity and Fights Colds

Zinc is often taken as a natural over-the-counter remedy for fighting colds and symptoms of illnesses. When taken for at least five months, zinc may reduce your risk of becoming sick with the common cold, plus supplementing once you already feel sick can speed up the healing process. Research shows that zinc can interfere with the molecular process that causes mucus and bacteria to build within the nasal passages. Ionic zinc, based on its electrical charge, has the ability to exert an antiviral effect by attaching to receptors in nasal epithelial cells and blocking their effects.

Research conducted by the Medical Education Centre of Chandigarh India found that when zinc was?administered within 24 hours of onset of cold-related symptoms, the duration of symptoms was significantly reduced compared to the control group that didn’t supplement with zinc. Fewer patients in the zinc group had cold-related symptoms five and seven days after experiencing the first symptoms compared to those who did not take zinc.

2.?Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant that?May Help Fight Cancer

?

Zinc is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, helping fight oxidative stress and decrease the chance of disease development. Especially in elderly patients, zinc benefits include its ability to support healthy cell division. When researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan studied potential zinc benefits from zinc supplementation on 50?adults, they found that levels of oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented group than in the placebo group. Those with lower zinc levels who didn’t take supplements had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, higher plasma oxidative stress markers and endothelial cell adhesion molecules. After zinc supplementation, the incidence of illness-related side effects and infections was also significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented group, another example of zinc’s immune-boosting abilities.?

3. Balances?Hormones

Zinc benefits hormonal health and fertility because it plays an important role in hormone production, including increasing testosterone naturally, which has very widespread roles in both men and women. Zinc also impacts female sex hormones and is even involved in the creation and release of eggs within and from the ovaries.

Zinc is needed to produce oestrogen and progesterone in women, which both support reproductive health. Either too high or too low levels of estrogen can cause problems with menstruation, mood swings, early menopause, infertility and possibly even increase the risk for certain cancers.

4.?Fights Diabetes

Zinc is needed to balance most hormones, including insulin, the main hormone involved in the regulation of blood sugar and as a?diabetes natural cure. Zinc benefits blood sugar levels because it binds to insulin, so insulin is adequately stored in the pancreas and released when glucose enters the bloodstream. It also allows for proper utilization of digestive enzymes that are necessary for insulin to bind to cells, so glucose is used as fuel for the body, instead of stored as fat.

5. Maintains Heart Health by Supporting Blood Vessels

Zinc is needed to maintain the health of cells within the cardiovascular system, while also lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. The endothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines the blood vessels, partially relies on adequate levels of zinc. Zinc benefits heart health by supporting healthy circulation, since it helps as a natural remedy for high blood pressure and cholesterol levels from clogged or damaged arteries.

6.?Prevents Diarrhoea

Zinc deficiency is related to chronic digestive problems and diarrheal diseases, so zinc supplementation has been shown to be effective in both prophylaxis and as an?acute diarrhoea cure.

7.?Increases Fertility

Studies show that zinc plays an important role in fertility, especially modulating serum testosterone levels in men. Dietary zinc restriction and deficiency in normal young men are associated with a significant decrease in serum testosterone concentrations, which can negatively impact fertility and lower libido. In one study by the Department of Internal Medicine at Wayne University, after 20 weeks of zinc restriction, giving patients zinc supplementation effectively increased serum testosterone in most men.

Zinc also impacts women’s fertility since adequate levels of zinc are needed during the growth process of the female’s eggs, otherwise, eggs cannot properly mature, and ovulation suffers.

8. Aids in?Nutrient Absorption and Digestion

Zinc affects protein synthesis and is required by the body to use amino acids from foods. It’s also involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates from foods, which are one of the main sources of energy for the body. For this reason, a deficiency in zinc can cause low energy levels and contribute to adrenal or chronic fatigue, whereas consuming enough zinc benefits ongoing energy and a healthy metabolism.

9.?Supports Liver Health

Supplementing with zinc is shown to reduce the incidence of infection and correlated with lower levels of liver damage. Zinc can help with a?liver cleanse to?reduce inflammation in the liver, reduces free radical damage, helps with nutrient absorption and allows for proper waste elimination.

10.?Helps with Muscle Growth and Repair

Zinc plays a crucial role in cell division and cell growth, so zinc benefits muscle repair and growth by making it possible for the body to heal itself and maintain strength in the muscular and skeletal systems. Zinc also helps with the?release of testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), all of which build muscle mass and a healthy metabolism.

Reference:

https://www.healthyfoodguide.com.au/articles/2011/july/are-you-risk-how-avoid-australia-s-top-dietary-deficiencies#sthash.ghdS8tlG.dpuf