Zinc

Definition

Zinc, also known as Zinc, is an important micronutrient, second only to Iron in the body and present in all cells.

Because the body cannot produce and store Zinc, you need to supplement this micronutrient through your diet.

Uses

Zinc plays an important role in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, supporting many essential biological processes. The uses of Zinc include:

• Improving nerve health: Zinc along with B vitamins, especially B6, stimulates the production of neurotransmitters and maintains the Myelin layer, ensuring the brain and nervous system function effectively.
• Improving bone and joint health: Zinc combined with Calcium and Magnesium helps maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• Helps strengthen muscles: Zinc participates in the synthesis of Protein, the main component of muscle, helping muscles to be healthy.
• Supports growth in men: Zinc is very important for men, zinc deficiency can cause delayed puberty in boys. Zinc is present in the prostate, maintains Testosterone levels and helps normal development, improves sperm quantity and quality.
• Improves skin and hair condition: Zinc is distributed to skin and hair, supports normal development and prevents hair from becoming brittle. Zinc also helps reduce sebum on the skin and supports acne treatment.
• Helps eyes stay bright and healthy: Zinc helps transport vitamin A to the retina, combined with Lutein to prevent macular degeneration in the elderly.
• Balances female hormones: Zinc participates in the production of female hormones such as Estrogen and Progesterone, helps balance hormones and regulate menstruation, reducing premenopausal symptoms.

Requirements

The recommended daily zinc supplement requirement for the body is as follows:

• Infants from 0 to 6 months old need 2 mg/day
• Children from 7 to 12 months old need 3 mg/day
• Children from 1 to 3 years old need 3 mg/day
• Children from 4 to 8 years old need 5 mg/day
• Children from 9 to 13 years old need 8 mg/day
• From 14 to 18 years old: Men need 11 mg/day, women need 9 mg/day.
• For adults over 19 years old, the zinc requirement is 11 mg/day for men and 8 mg/day for women.
• Pregnant women need 11 to 12 mg/day.
• Breastfeeding women need 12 to 13 mg/day.

How to supplement

Supplement zinc through diet

This is the most natural and safest way to provide the body with the necessary amount of zinc. By incorporating zinc-rich foods such as seafood (oysters, shrimp, crab, fish, etc.), meat (beef, lamb, chicken), seeds (pumpkin, chia, cashew, almonds), beans (lentils, soybeans), and whole grains (brown rice, oats) into your daily diet, you not only meet your zinc needs but also add many other vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to improving overall health.

Zinc supplements through tablets

Zinc supplements through tablets are a convenient and popular option for those who want to ensure adequate zinc supply for the body.

Zinc supplements come in many different forms such as soft capsules, tablets, and effervescent tablets, making it easy for users to choose the product that suits their needs and preferences.

Intravenous zinc infusion

Intravenous zinc infusion is a method of supplementing zinc directly into the blood, often applied in cases where patients have severe zinc deficiency, cannot absorb zinc through the digestive tract or need to supplement zinc quickly to treat acute medical conditions.

Intravenous infusion helps to increase zinc concentration in the blood quickly, helping the body quickly recover functions affected by zinc deficiency. However, intravenous zinc infusion requires indications and monitoring by a team of medical professionals.

Side effects

Zinc is an element that is well absorbed into the body through the digestive tract. However, when supplementing too much zinc, it can cause some side effects such as: Taking more than 40mg of elemental zinc/day will lead to flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, cough, runny nose. Zinc poisoning: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, loss of appetite. Inhibits the absorption of other nutrients such as copper, iron. Reduces the effect of antibiotics, diuretics if used at the same time. Reduces immune function and increases the risk of lipid disorders blood.

Interactions (if any)

There is no evidence that Zinc interacts with other drugs or substances.