What is zinc good for?

Zinc is an essential nutrient that plays many vital roles in the human body. At Sons, we include zinc in our popular immune health supplement, which is scientifically proven to support the functioning of the immune system. In this article, we explain why zinc is vital to the human body and how you can ensure you don’t become zinc deficient. 

The many roles of zinc in the human body 

Zinc is a nutrient that plays multiple important roles in the human body. Zinc is present in every cell and is second only to iron as the most abundant trace mineral in the human body. One of zinc’s most crucial roles is its development and function of immune cells. Specifically, zinc is responsible for immune cell signalling, which ultimately plays a critical role in your body’s defence against infections and diseases. 

If you’re zinc deficient, you may have a weakened immune response. For instance, a study found that regular zinc supplementation significantly reduces the risk of infection among older adults and promotes a better immune response. In other words, your immune system needs zinc to function at its very best. 

Zinc’s other roles within the human body include: 

• Supporting wound healing 
• Reducing the risk of specific age-related infections and diseases, such as pneumonia 
• Treating skin conditions like acne 
• Decreasing inflammation by reducing oxidative stress 
• Reducing the symptoms associated with the common cold 

It’s not a stretch to suggest that zinc is a crucial nutrient, as it plays so many fundamental roles in human functioning. But how do you ensure you get enough zinc in your diet? 

Natural sources of zinc 

The human body isn’t capable of producing zinc. So, you need to make sure you eat the right foods to ensure you don’t become deficient. The good news is that zinc is widely available in various foods, making it relatively easy to regulate your intake if you follow a balanced diet. Some of the best natural sources of zinc include: 

• Meat - particularly red meat
• Shellfish - oysters, crab, and shrimp 
• Legumes - chickpeas, lentils, and beans 
• Seeds - hemp, pumpkin, and sesame 
• Nuts - peanuts, cashews, and almonds

As you can see, you don’t need to follow a radical diet to ensure you get a decent daily dose of zinc. For instance, 100 grams of raw ground beef contains around 44% of your recommended daily value of zinc, which is an excellent place to start. 

The benefits of a zinc supplement 

While you can manage your zinc levels by following a varied diet, you may also consider a zinc supplement to ward off the threats associated with zinc deficiency. Because your body doesn’t produce or store zinc, it’s important to get ample amounts of the nutrient every day. Choosing a scientifically-backed supplement can help your immune system function to its full capacity and reduce your risk of picking up illnesses and infections. Ultimately, the benefits of zinc supplements are numerous.

At Sons, our immune health supplement includes zinc as one of eleven ingredients that are backed by science to help support the immune system in various ways. Men who take our immune health supplement can benefit from a range of benefits and are likely to see improvements in how they feel daily. You certainly don’t need to be zinc deficient to benefit from our immune health supplement, but it can help your immune functioning and support you to live a healthier life.