Zinc supplements provide a much-needed mineral that every cell in your body needs. The body is unable to produce zinc on its own, so we need to make sure we eat enough food that contains the metal, drink enough water, or use the right supplements to give our cells the zinc they need.
Zinc is very important as it plays a key role in hundreds of processes in the human body. The most prominent functions include supporting the immune system, joints, tissues, along with aiding in cell growth. Zinc supplements have also been shown to eliminate sexual dysfunction, enhance sexual function, aid in hair health, and aid in the healing of skin wounds.
No matter how you look at it, zinc plays an important role in the functioning of most of our senses, which includes the ability to taste, smell, and also see. Research has shown that zinc can treat vision loss in macular degeneration. A zinc deficiency on the other hand can lead to a dulling of the taste buds, along with the ability to detect smell.
Although zinc is an essential vitamin for our body, taking too much of it can be bad. Research has shown that taking more than 100 mg per day for a prolonged period of time can cause damage to the immune system. The elderly, on the other hand, can benefit from taking zinc if they are deficient. The supplement can actually help seniors get their intake back up to where it should be.
When taking zinc supplements, you should always remember that zinc can actually interfere with copper absorption. For this reason, many experts recommend taking them together. Anyone taking a zinc supplement should take it as part of a well-balanced diet to ensure that other vitamins and minerals work with zinc.
Since most dietary supplements in the US are unregulated, you should always choose a manufacturer that is GMP compliant. GMP compliant manufacturers will always follow zinc production standards in order to minimize and likely eliminate the risk of contamination you could be getting from the supplement.
If you choose your supplement wisely, you shouldn't have to worry about any problems. You can buy zinc supplements at GNC, online, or other health food stores. It's not expensive either, which makes it a welcome addition to your diet. You should always consult your doctor if you suspect you have a zinc deficiency, so they can tell you exactly how much zinc you need on a daily basis. That way, if you're not getting enough from your regular diet - you can get the supplements you need.