Zinc – a jack-of-all-trades among minerals
Zinc plays an important role in our daily lives and is a mineral that we encounter frequently. However, we often don't notice it or appreciate its versatility. Zinc is especially important for protecting against corrosion, for example in watering cans, metal scaffolding, or car bodies.
Auch bei wiederaufladbaren Batterien kommt Zink im großen Maßstab zum Einsatz und ist, wegen seiner galvanischen Eigenschaften, ein sehr beliebtes Material in der Batterieherstellung.
Zinc alloys were even used as coins and are still found today as the core of the US cent.
But here, let’s take a closer look at the properties of zinc that are invaluable for our health!
Nothing works without zinc!
Die äußerst vielseitigen Prozesse, an welchen Zink in unserem Körper beteiligt ist, machen es zu einem essentiellen Spurenelement. Das bedeutet, dass viele Funktionen im Körper auf Zink angewiesen sind und ohne diesen Mineralstoff nicht funktionieren.
Enzyme und Stoffwechsel
As an essential coenzyme, zinc is a component of over 300 enzyme systems, which are responsible for energy production and supply, protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as bone metabolism and detoxification.
Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis, normal carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, and the normal metabolism of macronutrients!
Antioxidant effect
Zinc is an essential mineral component of what’s known as superoxide dismutase, or SOD. This is an enzyme found in erythrocytes that removes oxygen radicals. Oxygen radicals play a role in various diseases, such as joint or eye disorders, as well as in the aging process.
Zink trägt dazu bei, die Zellen vor oxidativem Stress zu schützen!
Zink und das Immunsystem
Basically, any deficiency in essential nutrients weakens the immune system, but experts unanimously agree that zinc is the most important trace element in this context.
To mention just a few of the functions important for the immune system: zinc’s influence on the production and activity of white blood cells (T-lymphocytes), thymus function and the associated hormone release, as well as its antiviral properties.
Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system!
Zink für Haut und Wundheilung
It has already been mentioned that zinc influences protein synthesis. The biological processes associated with protein synthesis have a direct impact on our skin and its ability to regenerate.
In connection with skin diseases, several studies have found that these conditions can be accompanied by a zinc deficiency.
It’s therefore not surprising that zinc also has a positive effect on wound healing. In this context, most people are probably familiar with the use of zinc ointments for minor injuries or skin lesions.
Zink trägt zur Erhaltung normaler Haut, Haare und Nägel bei!
Zink und die Sehkraft
As already mentioned, zinc is an essential component of the cell-protective, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, which protects the body’s cells from attacks by free radicals. The eyes are particularly vulnerable in this context.
The cells of eye tissue can be particularly damaged by these radicals. In patients suffering from cataracts, a low blood zinc level is often observed, which is one reason for impaired glucose metabolism in the lens. A connection between a lack of retinal zinc and macular degeneration has also been confirmed. Clinical studies have shown that zinc supplementation can reduce the loss of vision.
Zinc helps maintain normal vision!
Zinc and muscles
Athletes are generally aware of the important functions of zinc. This awareness is no accident. In fact, zinc also plays a very important role in our muscles, especially during physical activity. As we’ve already learned, zinc is crucial for metabolic processes, particularly for energy supply and availability for the muscles.
Als Spurenelement ist es zudem maßgeblich an der Regeneration und Neubildung von Muskelzellen beteiligt. Nicht zu vernachlässigen ist in diesem Zusammenhang, dass Muskelzellen bei Aktivität durch den hochgefahrenen Stoffwechsel besonders anfällig für Sauerstoffradikale sind, welche während intensiver Beanspruchung der Muskulatur vermehrt gebildet werden. Diese können durch Zink neutralisiert werden.
Zink kann aber noch viel mehr!
Zinc helps maintain normal testosterone levels in the blood!
Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction!
Zink trägt zu einer normalen kognitiven Funktion bei!
Zinc helps maintain normal bones!
Zink trägt zu einem normalen Säure-Basen-Stoffwechsel bei!
Zink trägt zu einem normalen Vitamin A-Stoffwechsel bei!
Zink trägt zu einer normalen DNA-Synthese bei!
Our conclusion
Zinc is of immense value to our health and is needed by our bodies in many different ways. Since zinc is not easily stored by the body, making sure you get enough zinc is especially important!
Ideally dosed capsules with zinc + vitamin C for your general well-being, to support your immune system or vision, can be found here:
If you’re interested in zinc as part of a comprehensive formula for skin, hair, and nails, you’ll find what you’re looking for here:
Unterhalte Dich in unserer Community über Deine Erfahrungen mit Zink oder anderen Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln, stelle gerne Deine Fragen oder profitiere von den Erfahrungen anderen Community-Mitgliedern!
Studies on zinc and the immune system:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21660546/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817502/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17344507/
Studies on zinc and skin:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17190629/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29439479/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14652165/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27288087/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6163273/
Studies on zinc and the eyes/vision:
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mnfr.201801049
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1462955/