Zinc: Is it Essential for the Body?

Some time ago, I started to exercise regularly and manage my eating pattern to be healthier than before, I began learning how to fulfill a balanced daily diet by regularly consuming foods that are high in protein, sufficient fat, and carbohydrates for additional energy. The reason why I eat a lot of protein is so that the muscle-building process can be maximized, and increase testosterone levels in my body. Apart from fulfilling my nutritional intake from food, I also started taking supplements as a nutritional complement, some of which do not contain many whole foods. The supplement I take is Zinc, and what I am discussing in this post is about Zinc, its benefits and side effects.

About Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that has many uses for the human body, zinc is an essential substance that cannot be produced by the body so we need to fulfill our intake by eating foods containing zinc or using zinc supplements. Adequate zinc is something that needs to be done because this substance can help strengthen the immune system, relieve inflammation, and accelerate wound healing.

Zinc has a function in biological processes such as protein synthesis, tissue recovery, cell growth, helps increase immunity which is beneficial for reducing the risk of various diseases. The benefits that I feel when I regularly use zinc supplements are that the inflamed pimples on my face quickly subside and my facial skin which was previously so oily, now back to normal, maybe the effect is not 100% of the zinc supplement I am taking but the supplement is quite giving positive effect for me.

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To meet zinc intake, we can consume animal foods such as beef, chicken, and lamb or processed animal products like cow's milk, cheese, and yogurt. Seafood like fish, tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp also contain zinc which can be consumed if you are tired of eating meat, from these foods it is possible that the zinc content obtained is sufficient to meet daily zinc needs but if we cannot fulfill it with food, we can use supplements because it is easy to obtain and consume.

We need to remember and understand that we don't use zinc supplements excessively, ask your doctor or nutritionist about the safe dosage of taking zinc supplements to avoid the bad effects of zinc overdose, our goal is to maintain health, not look for disease, so don't be lazy to ask the competent authorities before using a medicine or supplement.

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc

• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/

• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/zinc#:~:text=Zinc%20is%20a%20mineral%20that,during%20pregnancy%2C%20childhood%20and%20adolescence.

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263176