What does zinc do for us?
• Accelerates the activity of approximately 100 different body enzymes
• Promotes immune function
• Supports healthy cell growth and development
• Ensures proper sense of taste and smell
• Prostate health
Zinc-containing foods
Body can not store zinc. However, it is easily obtained from diet
Top are meat and poultry. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food. Other good sources for zinc include beans, nuts, crab, lobster, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and dairy products. This author does not advocate eating shell fish, which do a great job of cleaning up the planet and can be toxic.
Zinc-RICH Foods | ||
Food |
Serving size |
Zinc (mg) |
Roasted pumpkin seeds |
¼ cup |
4.2 |
Toasted sesame seeds |
¼ cup |
3.3 |
Brazil nuts |
½ cup |
2.7 |
Soybeans (only eat organic beans) |
½ cup |
4.5 |
Wheatgerm cereal (toasted, ready to eat) |
½ cup |
9.4 |
Yogurt (low fat, plain) |
8 oz |
2.2 |
Baked beans |
½ cup |
6.9 |
Sirloin, broiled |
3 oz |
5.5 |
Zinc content of more common foods
Conditions /persons with special zinc needs
Vegetarians. Legumes and whole grains contain phytates that bind zinc and inhibit its absorption in the body. They may require 50% more zinc than non-vegetarians.
Pregnant/Nursing women. High fetal requirements and breast feeding can deplete their body's zinc.
Older men need a zinc sufficiency to protect against formation of abnormal prostate cells and impotence:
• The human prostate has the highest accumulation of zinc of any soft tissue in the body
• Cancerous prostates seem to have less zinc than normal prostates
• Severe zinc deficiency can lead to impotence by affecting Testosterone
Allergies. Hard on the immune system;
“Teeth-grinders”. Zinc (also niacin) deficiency can cause involuntary grinding of teeth, especially when sleeping or stressed; To relieve pressure on the jaw, move your lower jaw all the way left and then all the way right. You may hear your jaw joint crack.
White spots on fingernails. A symptom of zinc deficiency
Wilson's Disease. A problem of copper build-up in the liver
Digestive disorders / gastrointestinal surgery. E.g.ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, partial removal of intestines, weight-loss surgery decrease amount of zinc absorbed, increasing loss in urine.
Older infants who are breastfed. Breast milk does not have enough zinc for infants over 6 months of age. Non-formula-fed older infants should be given foods that have zinc such as pureed meats
Alcoholics. Alcoholic beverages decrease the amount of zinc that the body absorbs and increase the amount lost in the urine. Also, many alcoholics have a poor diet
Sickle cell disease. Creates a need for more zinc.
Supplementing Zinc
Supplemental forms. Include zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, and zinc acetate .
Normal daily recommended intakes (not RDA) for zinc are as follows:
Persons |
Zinc (mg) |
Infants and children birth to |
5-10 |
Children 4 to 6 years of age |
10 |
Children 7 to 10 years of age |
10 |
Adolescent /Adult males |
15 |
Adolescent /Adult females |
12 |
Pregnant females |
15 |
Breast-feeding females |
16-19 |
Upper limit is 40 mg/day. Excessive zinc intake can lead to nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Taking large quantities of zinc (50 mg/day or more) over a period of weeks can affect copper bioavailability.
Chronic low-level inflammation (CLII) involved in almost all health problems
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General electrotherapy health benefits. Used systemically and/or locally at specific problem areas of the body, its effective application has many benefits:
Detoxification | Wellness / Healthy aging | Pain relief |
Relief from insomnia | Immune system restoral | Anti-Inflammatory |
Maximizes cellular energy production | Accelerated tissue /bone /scar healing |
Stress Reduction |
Muscle relaxation / rehabilitation | Increased blood oxygen / circulation |
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Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy |
Beck Protocol |
Rife therapy |
Ozone therapy |
Near Infrared (NIR) class 4 laser therapy |
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Balances neurotransmitters | Relieves pain | Treats depression |
Substance abuse withdrawal | Relieves insomnia | Relieve stress / anxiety |
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