The Many Roles of Zinc in Human Health

Zinc is a trace mineral that is essential to the growth, development and health of all body cells. While your body only requires small amounts of zinc, it plays multiple roles in keeping you healthy.

Zinc’s Role in the Body

Zinc is involved in many biological processes, including cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. It also helps boost immune function by helping white blood cells fight infection. It also helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells.

Zinc’s primary function is as an enzyme activator, or catalyst, which means it helps speed up thousands of chemical reactions in the body. Zinc also acts as an antioxidant and helps maintain a healthy immune system by enhancing the activity of white blood cells.

As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, zinc plays an important role in your immune system and helps to fight off infections and other illnesses. Research shows that taking a daily supplement of zinc can help shorten the duration of cold symptoms by approximately one day, while also reducing the severity of those symptoms.

Zinc deficiency is common worldwide and affects about one-third of the world’s population. Deficiencies can occur due to inadequate intake or absorption issues, as well as other factors like chronic disease or alcoholism. A deficiency can lead to various symptoms and complications like slowed growth rates in children, decreased immune function and increased infections.

Fortunately, you can correct a zinc deficiency and boost your immune system by increasing the amount of zinc you get from food or supplements. Zinc supplements are used to treat diarrhea and zinc deficiencies due to malnutrition or diseases like Crohn’s disease that affect nutrient absorption. It can also be used to treat colds and the flu — two conditions often brought on by weakened immune systems.