ZINC

Zinc's importance has been known since 1869, however, it wasn't until 1934 that we were made aware of its vital health aspects.  Gabriel Bertrand Paris first used zinc to study its effects on the growth of the average mouse.  This same study was done again in 1935 on rats with the same results, that zinc is essential for growth.  By 1974, zinc was considered an essential element and was added to the recommended dietary supplements list by the FDA.

Zinc is involved in ALL DNA and RNA production.  Trace amounts of it have been found in all living matter.  It is believed that around 263 mg. are found in the human body.  Science has found that more than 90 enzymes in our body are zinc dependent.  Zinc is also a major catalyst to many metabolic functions and reactions.  For instance, zinc works with chromium to transport glucose from our blood to our cells.  The energy obtained from glucose cannot be utilized by the body until this transport has occurred. Zinc also helps to neutralize toxic metals in the body, the main one being cadmium.  Cadmium is in many of our grains due to the pollution of our soil and, unlike zinc, it is NOT lost during the refining process.  It has been speculated that the average person has 30 mg of cadmium in his/her system, much of it found in the kidneys.  It can cause infertility and sperm abnormalities.

Dr. Eberhard Kronhausen, one of the authors of 'Formula for Life: the Antioxidant, Free-Radical Detoxification Program', calls zinc, vitamin E's twin brother due to its antioxidant capabilities.  

Zinc also works hand in hand with vitamin A.  Studies were conducted on mice showing that when zinc was deficient in their diet, that they were also deficient in vitamin A.  A zinc deficiency is thought to impair the use of vitamin A by the epithelial cells, causing them to be at a higher risk for cancer along with other chronic diseases.  These cells act as a covering for things like the skin, breasts, bladder, etc. and are dependent on zinc and vitamin A for their health and maintenance. 

Zinc has been found to protect cell walls and cell structures, limiting the damage done to the arteries by 'plaquing'.   A lack of zinc can cause vessel walls to be damaged or dysfunctional.  Researchers from the University of Kentucky found that when zinc was present in the cells that the cells ability to resist cholesterol invasion was markedly improved.  They also discovered that zinc helps to strengthen the arteries against free radical damage.

Zinc is directly linked to our immune system and has been found to be extremely deficient in those with immune disorders or diseases.  The lower the level of zinc, the worse the disease becomes.  Those with thymus disorders (Down's Syndrome) are also found to be zinc deficient.

Another study was conducted regarding zinc and T-lymphocytes.  Scientists found that those who took 220 mg of zinc sulfate twice daily for one month increased the amount of T-lymphocytes found in their blood.

Data has also shown a link between testosterone production and zinc.  Here again, the lower the amount of zinc, the lower the amount of testosterone.

Many drugs used for things such as hypertension can cause zinc to be deficient in the system due to the diuretic properties of such drugs.  Current research has found that zinc influences cell division during pregnancy as well.

At the 'American Association for Advancement of Science' convention in Dallas, Texas in 1968, one of the keynote speakers stated that, "Within the past few years, investigators have demonstrated in rapid succession that zinc deficiency is common in man, and that this deficiency is a critical factor in impaired growth, delayed healing and chronic illness."  It was believed at that time (1968) that at least 32 states were zinc deficient due to depleted soil.

Walter J. Pories, MD, said, "...heavy fertilization of soils with phosphates and nitrogens have contributed greatly to zinc deficiency of soils and thus to crops.  It is not surprising that such widespread zinc deficiency of soils should lead to deficiencies in our crops and food animals.  It is also obvious that if our animal and vegetable sources are deficient that man should also be lacking in this element."  Back before 'modern' times, when it was what we now call 'the old days', many people obtained zinc in their diets from using galvanized pots and pans and having galvanized pipes. Dr. Pories went on to say that zinc is required in minute amounts (20-100 ppm), "..yet even slight or moderate deficiencies can retard growth, lower food efficiency, and inhibit general well-being."  Back in the 1940's it was known that animals with zinc deficiencies had problems healing, developed ulcers, scaling skin, bone and joint disorders and severe fertility issues.  Unbelievably, it took researchers another 20 years to realize that a lack of zinc in man had the same effect!  

In 1963, Dr. A. A. Prasad reported in the 'Archives of Internal Medicine' (vol. 407), that zinc deficiencies caused undeveloped genitals and severe growth retardation in males.  In studies he conducted in Egypt and Iran on dwarves, he found that once they were put on a proper diet and began zinc supplementation, their genitalia began to develop to normal size.  However, the most astounding change was related to growth.  The shortest dwarf was 20 years old and 39 inches tall.  In 14 months he grew 5 inches.

In ancient Egypt, zinc was topically applied to wounds in the form of calamine, which incidentally is still used today for chicken pox.

In a 'Nutrition Review' article dated July, 1969, scientists Dr. Seeber, U. Weser, and R. Warnecke revealed that "zinc is required in some aspects of DNA synthesis..."  DNA is the master of life.  It has the ability to reproduce itself-thus creating new life.  The DNA molecule splits down the middle and resembles a ladder that has been torn in half.  Each half of the ladder draws the chemicals to it that are needed to complete each ring, making it a whole strand of DNA once more-continuing life's processes.  DNA is dependent on zinc to do these things; without zinc-life on this planet would come to a screeching halt.

Dr. Pories relates his experience dealing with a man who had been in  a serious accident.  "After being hospitalized for six weeks, his wounds still had not healed.  Tests showed that his zinc levels were normal.  Nevertheless, we started him on a heavy zinc supplementation and within two weeks his would had healed completely.  It appears that the man was suffering from a utilizable deficiency because of the demands made by his injuries even though his blood levels appeared normal."  

Alcohol can also cause zinc deficiencies as it flushes zinc out of the liver and into the urine.

Zinc is found mostly in the muscles and bones with the rest found in the male sex organs, pancreas, liver, blood, kidneys and skin.  Food refining, nutrient poor soil, alcohol and oral contraceptives are all enemies of zinc.

Zinc can be found naturally in brewer's yeast, seafood, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables, oysters, beans, liver, peas, spinach, aloe, comfrey, chickweed, burdock, chamomile, garlic, hawthorne, dandelion, rosemary, goldenseal, eyebright, kelp, marshmallow, hops, licorice, huckleberries, slippery elm and sarsaparilla.

Signs of zinc deficiency are:  stretch marks, growth impairment, prostate issues, anemia, liver and spleen disorders, unexplained weight loss, skin sores, rough, scaly skin, acne, vitamin A deficiency, slow wound healing, poor night vision, white spots on the nails, cardiovascular issues, immune disorders, loss of smell and taste, loss of appetite and the list goes on.

As is customary with our posts we are including some links herein for your perusal.  Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Deficiency-Valuable-Knowledge-Minutes-ebook/dp/B00NO0VNL8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454362059&sr=1-1&keywords=zinc

http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Pfeiffers-Updated-Other-Micro-Nutrients/dp/0879831693/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454362059&sr=1-7&keywords=zinc

http://www.amazon.com/Diet-immunity-inflammation-Publishing-Technology-ebook/dp/B019ZTVAGE/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454362059&sr=1-9&keywords=zinc

http://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Catalysis-Applications-Organic-Synthesis/dp/3527335986/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454362246&sr=1-14&keywords=zinc

http://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Signals-Cellular-Functions-Disorders/dp/4431551131/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454362271&sr=1-17&keywords=zinc