Zinc

Zinc Lozenges & Supplements

Did you know that zinc is an important co-factor for enzymes involved in the proper functioning of your antioxidant defence system superoxide dismutase (SOD)? zinc is critical to overall health and is present in every single cell in the human body. It is the second-most-abundant trace mineral after iron and is considered an essential nutrient; meaning that the body cannot produce or store it, so it must be supplied through diet and/or supplementation including zinc capsules and lozenges.

What foods have zinc? Oysters, poultry, beans, nuts and seafood and although zinc is naturally present in many foods, zinc deficiency, unfortunately, is not rare. This is troubling because zinc is involved in a variety of critical functions inside the body and, among other things, is required for immune function, hormone balance (specifically estrogen and progesterone), and protects and preserves optimal prostate health (in fact, zinc is more concentrated in the prostate than in any other soft tissue in the body).

Zinc is needed for the development and maintenance of immune cells, and even a mild deficiency has been shown to depress immune function, impair macrophage and neutrophil functions, as well as natural killer cell activity (all components of immune activity).

Zinc, whether it's from food, lozenges or supplements, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that supports healthy cell growth and division, so is ideal to help maintain health and fight disease. As a busy mineral involved in numerous chemical pathways and organ systems, zinc is also involved in regulating insulin, blood sugar control, thyroid hormone production, as well as sugar and protein metabolism.

Benefits of Zinc Lozenges & Supplements

• Boosts Immune Health & Function
• Enhances Reproductive Health
• Supports the Health of the Prostate

Who Needs Zinc lozenges or Supplements?

Practitioners typically recommend zinc lozenges or supplementation to enhance immune function by activating T-lymphocytes (T-cells) – that moderate the body’s inflammatory response during times of immune stress. It’s also often recommended to support connective tissues, reproductive health, vision, to mitigate oxidative stress, to maintain a healthy prostate, and to support the body's normal production of testosterone to build lean muscle mass.

Zinc Potency, Forms & Formats

Zinc Potency

How much zinc is needed per day? Whether you're obtaining your zinc through diet, lozenges or supplement, Zinc supplements are offered in a variety of different doses, each offering its distinct dose of elemental zinc. The recommended daily dose of zinc will vary depending on what you’re using it for and maybe in the 20, 25, 40, or 50 mg daily.

Zinc Forms

Zinc supplements are available in a variety of forms including zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, and others. It’s important to know however that the percentage of elemental zinc varies by form. For instance; zinc sulfate provides 23% elemental zinc, while zinc gluconate contains only 14.3% elemental zinc. Of the various forms of zinc supplements, zinc chelate, bisglycinate, and picolinate are all highly absorbable and are considered superior choices. These different forms of zinc are available in many formats including lozenges.

Zinc Supplement Formats

Zinc is available as a standalone supplement in tablet and capsule form and is also commonly available in lozenges, syrups, and nasal sprays.

When taking zinc to correct a deficiency, tablets or capsules are ideal; however, when using zinc to prevent colds and flu, treat an infection, or repeated colds and flu, lozenges are ideal because they concentrate the zinc in the upper respiratory tract (the pharyngeal region), which prevents viruses from multiplying and attaching to the mucous membranes.

Choosing The Right Zinc Lozenge & Supplement For You

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is involved in numerous essential functions including metabolism, immune function, wound healing, and prostate health. While widely available in foods, deficiency is not uncommon. Speak to your health practitioner to find out if you could benefit from supplementation.

High zinc intake can inhibit copper absorption, sometimes producing copper deficiency and associated anemia.

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