Foods High in Zinc and Health Benefits of Zinc

Importance of Zinc

For proper health, you need a daily intake of zinc; human beings don’t store zinc in their bodies as they do other minerals such as calcium. Zinc not only helps us not get sick, but it also helps our immune system fight off viruses and bacteria. Other health benefits of zinc include healing faster from wounds. Your cells also need zinc for them to function properly and oddly enough your sense of taste and smell work the best when you have enough zinc in your diet. Pregnant women need slightly more zinc than other adults to maintain their pregnancy.

According to the FDA, adults need 8-11 mg of zinc a day. However, too much zinc can cause weight loss, diarrhea and other health problems.

Signs of a Zinc Deficiency

A mild zinc deficiency can be difficult for doctors to note. In general, a mild deficiency will result in weight loss, loss of appetite, decreased wound healing. You may also notice foods taste funny or you have a funny taste in your mouth. If you have a severe zinc deficiency, you may notice hair loss, diarrhea, sexual issues and, in some people, skin lesions.

Zinc in Foods

It’s very easy to get your daily recommended dosages of zinc from your food. While red meat and poultry are good sources of zinc, you can also get zinc from nuts such as cashews and almonds. Vegetarians find that chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, baked beans and kidney beans are all good sources of zinc. You can also get zinc from fortified cereals. Probably, the best place for you get zinc in your diet is from oysters. One medium oyster provides almost all of your daily recommended zinc.

In general, the body tends to absorb zinc from meat sources better than from other sources. If you’re a vegetarian, speak to your doctor or a nutritionist to make sure you’re getting enough zinc.

Sources

1. Office of Dietary Supplements

Disclaimer

The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed.