ZINC

a component of dozens of enzymes including some that metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and alcohol, some essential for cell growth, and some necessary for testosterone production
much of the blood's zinc is found in the RBCs
skin holds 20% of the body's zinc
zinc picolinate is better than sulphate

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body pool of Zn is small and needs to be constantly replaced
inadequate zinc, even for one week, retards muscle growth and weakens immunity
possibly to relieve colds, certain skin troubles, and bring back the sense of taste and smell
plays a role in the body's synthesis of protein
helps build strong bones
has a major effect on the sense of smell and taste
helps to rid the blood of carbon dioxide
involved in the making of RNA and DNA
provides invaluable help in wound healing
adequate zinc is essential for normal testosterone levels and sperm counts
Wilson's disease is a rare genetic disorder where the body stores too much copper, which accumulates in the brain and liver and can be life threatening if not treated.
zinc supplementation may help to prevent excessive copper stores
doctors are experimenting with zinc in the possible treatment of: sickle cell anemia, anorexia, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and for strengthening the immune system in the elderly

key symptoms in general: decreased growth, enlarged spleen, and delayed sexual maturation
key symptoms in children: poor appetite, suboptimal growth, decreased sense of taste and smell, and mood changes
other symptoms: scaliness of the skin, delayed wound healing, depression, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhea, and decreased resistance to infection
zinc deficiency ironically affects both poor and wealthy nations because both too little and too much processing can result in deficiency
disorders that can lead to zinc deficiency are: alcoholism, chronic infections or inflammatory diseases, kidney disease, pancreatic disease, psoriasis, sickle-cell anemia, and thalassemia
processing can work in zinc's favour by removing naturally occurring substances, fiber, phytates, that adversely affect absorption
phytates are found mostly in cereals, grains, and unleavened breads but research has shown that yeast and fermentation can break them down
zinc is lost via sweating, hemolysis, increased fatty acid metabolism accompanying exercise, multiple interactions with iron metabolism, and the added testosterone required for muscle growth

additives in food (processing) may inhibit zinc absorption, for example, EDTA in canned foods, beer, pop, and products rich in vegetable oils
EDTA traps metal impurities that ravel into food, but also traps zinc (a metal)
high doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency
a higher zinc-to-copper ratio has been found in patients with confirmed heart disease
exercise has been linked to a decreased risk for heart disease, partly because exercise boosts HDL and also exercise may narrow the gap between zinc and copper
zinc is also lost in sweat leading to a better balance with copper
high blood pressure promotes heart disease
some hypertensive patients excrete large amounts of copper, which can create a further imbalance between zinc and copper, and further increase the rick of heart disease
zinc may have a tendency to lower HDL cholesterol if taken in large doses (30 mg. of zinc/day had no effect)
high doses of zinc can impair the body's ability to fight infection
calcium may inhibit zinc absorption
antibiotics, anticancer drugs, diuretics, metal-binding drugs, and oral contraceptives can interfere with zinc nutrition as well
excess zinc interferes with copper metabolism