Can Zinc Help You This Cold & Flu Season?
When it comes to fighting colds, flus, and infections, there’s one mineral in particular that you’ll want to keep on hand – zinc. This nutrient is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body, from immune system function to DNA synthesis.
Zinc is one of the essential minerals that we depend on for numerous processes but can’t produce on our own. This means we must rely on external sources such as our diet and supplements to ensure that we have adequate levels of zinc.
Let’s get into the ways that this mineral can help you for the upcoming cold & flu season, and how you can make sure you’ve got enough zinc in your system.
What can zinc do for the body?
Some of zinc’s roles include speeding up the wound healing process, supporting a strong immune system, and protecting against oxidative stress.
Wound healing
Zinc supports blood clotting by helping our platelets, which are fragments of cells, stick together. This prevents us from losing too much blood after getting a cut or scrape. Additionally, zinc levels within the body directly correlate to the release of alpha-granules, a type of platelet. The higher the levels of zinc within the body, the more platelets that are released. As a result, making sure you’ve got optimal levels of zinc in your body can help you recover from wounds faster.
Immunity
Zinc can also help you make a speedy comeback from colds, flus, and infections. Immune cells, like natural killer cells and white blood cells, travel through the bloodstream identifying and targeting viruses and other harmful pathogens that they come across. Since zinc plays a major role in the development and function of these immune cells, having sufficient zinc levels can help fortify your immune response. This ultimately allows for a strengthened immune system and efficient recovery.
Oxidative stress
Particles called free radicals increase the amount of oxidative stress on our cells. And oxidative stress increases the inflammation within the body as a result. Factors such as poor diet, increased stress, overuse of medications, and improper protection against UV rays can all contribute to the number of free radicals within the body.
Nutrients that prevent and reverse oxidative stress on our cells are known as antioxidants. And zinc is a powerful antioxidant that’s capable of doing exactly that. With its antioxidant abilities, zinc neutralizes free radicals around it and as a result, reduces the amount of inflammation in the body as well.
Increasing your zinc intake
Adults in Canada require approximately 8 to 11 mg of zinc on a daily basis. Foods like beef, oysters, lentils, and chickpeas are all great sources of zinc. However, modern farming practices have reduced the amount of zinc we can get from our diets due to nutrient-depleted soil. Making zinc supplements a part of your healthcare routine can help ensure that you’re getting all the zinc you need.
So, as cold and flu season approaches, make sure you have an effective zinc supplement up your sleeve to help support you. Your immune system will thank you!
Zinc is one of the essential minerals that we depend on for numerous processes but can’t produce on our own. This means we must rely on external sources such as our diet and supplements to ensure that we have adequate levels of zinc.
Let’s get into the ways that this mineral can help you for the upcoming cold & flu season, and how you can make sure you’ve got enough zinc in your system.
What can zinc do for the body?
Some of zinc’s roles include speeding up the wound healing process, supporting a strong immune system, and protecting against oxidative stress.
Wound healing
Zinc supports blood clotting by helping our platelets, which are fragments of cells, stick together. This prevents us from losing too much blood after getting a cut or scrape. Additionally, zinc levels within the body directly correlate to the release of alpha-granules, a type of platelet. The higher the levels of zinc within the body, the more platelets that are released. As a result, making sure you’ve got optimal levels of zinc in your body can help you recover from wounds faster.
Immunity
Zinc can also help you make a speedy comeback from colds, flus, and infections. Immune cells, like natural killer cells and white blood cells, travel through the bloodstream identifying and targeting viruses and other harmful pathogens that they come across. Since zinc plays a major role in the development and function of these immune cells, having sufficient zinc levels can help fortify your immune response. This ultimately allows for a strengthened immune system and efficient recovery.
Oxidative stress
Particles called free radicals increase the amount of oxidative stress on our cells. And oxidative stress increases the inflammation within the body as a result. Factors such as poor diet, increased stress, overuse of medications, and improper protection against UV rays can all contribute to the number of free radicals within the body.
Nutrients that prevent and reverse oxidative stress on our cells are known as antioxidants. And zinc is a powerful antioxidant that’s capable of doing exactly that. With its antioxidant abilities, zinc neutralizes free radicals around it and as a result, reduces the amount of inflammation in the body as well.
Increasing your zinc intake
Adults in Canada require approximately 8 to 11 mg of zinc on a daily basis. Foods like beef, oysters, lentils, and chickpeas are all great sources of zinc. However, modern farming practices have reduced the amount of zinc we can get from our diets due to nutrient-depleted soil. Making zinc supplements a part of your healthcare routine can help ensure that you’re getting all the zinc you need.
So, as cold and flu season approaches, make sure you have an effective zinc supplement up your sleeve to help support you. Your immune system will thank you!