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Can we get enough nutrients from our food?

Ideally, the food that we eat on a daily basis should be enough to provide us with the nutrients we need for the day. But given the number of stressors these days, in addition to the scarcity of quality ingredients that contain specific nutrients, as well as the presence of a speedily spreading diseases, taking multivitamins has become a must. As highlighted in our previous post ‘10 Reasons You Should Take a Multivitamin’, taking vitamins not only strengthens the immune system and provides us with the nutrients we need, it also helps us feel more energised, provides adequate antioxidant support and keeps the heart healthy.

In some cases, multivitamins can support individuals who are deficient in particular nutrients such as zinc. Aside from strict vegetarians and breastfeeding women, frequent alcohol drinkers are also at risk of suffering from zinc deficiency. In fact, the important role that zinc plays in helping the body recover from alcohol toxicity has seen it included in hangover remedies. When combined with magnesium, zinc can help lessen the severity of a hangover, bolster the immune system and help cleanse the body of all the toxins that come from excessive alcohol intake.

4 more benefits of taking a zinc supplement

Aside from helping improve the immune system, here are some of the other reasons why including dietary sources of zinc can be beneficial:

Accelerates wound healing

Did you know that zinc is commonly used in hospitals to treat burns, certain ulcers and other skin injuries? This is because this mineral plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis, immune function and inflammatory response — all of which are necessary for proper healing. According to a 2017 study published by the National Library of Medicine, during a 12-week study in 60 people with diabetic foot ulcers, those who were treated with 200mg of zinc per day experienced significant reduction in ulcer size compared to those who were treated with a placebo.

Reduces the risk of specific age-related illnesses

By boosting the activity of T-cells and natural killer cells (which help protect the body from infection), zinc can help relieve the body of oxidative stress and improve immune response. An article by the Healthline detailed how the regular intake of zinc supplements among older adults can result in improved vaccination response, reduced risk of pneumonia, decreased vision loss, boosted mental performance and significantly reduced risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Improves memory and learning

Based on research conducted at the University of Toronto and published in the journal Neuron, zinc has an important role to play when it comes to regulating how neurons communicate with one another. This then, affects how memories are formed and how we learn. Those who want to take zinc supplements should source one that is not only highly absorbable, but is also free of gluten, GMOs, artificial preservatives and other major allergens.

Enhances fertility

In recent years, countless studies have linked zinc with fertility. A great example of such a study is James Hester’s which is published in The FASEB Journal, Volume 32, Issue S1. In his study, Hester found that zinc deficiency can have a negative impact on egg development and by extension, fertility. He further explained how the study found that zinc is a “key regulator” of egg cell development and assists in egg cell division, fertilisation, DNA regulation and embryo development.

Exclusively written for blog.gandgvitamins.com

By Jennifer Birch