Zinc

What is it?

Zinc is an essential element, necessary for sustaining all life. It is estimated that 3,000 of the hundreds of thousands of proteins in the human body contain zinc prosthetic groups. In addition, there are over a dozen types of cells in the human body that secrete these ions, and the roles of these secreted zinc signals in medicine and health are now being actively studied. Zinc ions are now considered to be neurotransmitters. Cells in the salivary gland, prostate, immune system and intestine use these ions for signalling.

Zinc is also involved in olfaction: the olfactory receptors contain zinc binding sites and a deficiency in zinc causes anosmia.

The Benefits

Supports a healthy immune system.

Is needed for wound healing.

Helps maintain your sense of taste and smell.

Is needed for DNA synthesis.

Supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence.

Soure: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html#what

Much more than Zinc is discussed back at the Natural Source Vitamins Homepage