Zinc is an essential trace element, necessary for plants, animals, and microorganisms.Zinc is found in nearly 100 specific enzymes(other sources say 300), serves as structural ions in transcription factors and is stored and transferred in metallothioneins. It is "typically the second most abundant transition metal in organisms" after iron and it is the only metal which appears in all enzyme classes.
The human body has 2-4 grams of zinc distributed throughout the body. Most zinc is in the brain, muscle, bones, kidney, and liver, with the highest concentrations in the prostate and parts of the eye. Semen is particularly rich in zinc, which is a key factor in prostate gland function and reproductive organ growth.
In humans zinc plays "ubiquitous biological roles". It interacts with a wide range of organic ligands and has a role in the metabolism of RNA and DNA, signal transduction, and gene expression. It also regulates apoptosis and can modulate brain excitability.
In terms of medicine, Zinc is included in most single tablet over-the-counter daily vitamin and mineral supplements. It is believed to possess antioxidant properties, which protect against premature aging of the skin and muscles of the body, although studies differ as to its effectiveness. Zinc also helps speed up the healing process after an injury. Zinc gluconate glycine and zinc acetate are used in throat lozenges or tablets to reduce the duration and the severity of cold symptoms. Preparations include zinc oxide, zinc acetate and zinc gluconate.Zinc gluconate is one compound used for the delivery of zinc as a dietary supplement
Zinc preparations can protect against sunburn in the summer and windburn in the winter. Applied thinly to a baby's diaper area (perineum) with each diaper change, it can protect against diaper rash.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study determined that zinc can be part of an effective treatment for age-related macular degeneration. Zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for acrodermatitis enteropathica, a genetic disorder affecting zinc absorption that was previously fatal to babies born with it.
Zinc lactate is used in toothpaste to prevent halitosis. Zinc pyrithione is widely applied in shampoos because of its anti-dandruff function. Zinc ions are effective antimicrobial agents even at low concentrations. Gastroenteritis is strongly attenuated by ingestion of zinc, and this effect could be due to direct antimicrobial action of the zinc ions in the gastrointestinal tract, or to the absorption of the zinc and re-release from immune cells (all granulocytes secrete zinc), or both.
As you can see, zinc is very important. Although the amount is small in our body, it plays many key roles. With that being said, did you find this mini-lesson informative? Would you like to see more of them in the future? Let me know...I would love to hear your thoughts and/or any comments you may have.
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