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Zinc is known to be important to many human biologic functions. Of these, the most widely known is that it strengthens the immune system. The result of this requires more study, but it is believed to assist in rapid wound healing, prevent or treat colds, and work with insulin in various stages to help diabetics in wound healing and immune response. Zinc deficiency is common as people age, possibly causing taste, smell, and vision loss. Research has shown that zinc may enhance taste and smell and even protect against blindness in the elderly. As with many vitamins and minerals, a correlation between zinc and cancer is under study, both as a cancer growth agent and a cancer inhibitor.

The prostate is the gland richest in zinc, possibly explaining its impact on male potency and sex drive, as well as its role in sperm formation (making it useful in treating infertility). Zinc supplementation has been used successfully for the treatment of teenage acne, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Although zinc may be toxic at high levels, most Americans are not at risk for toxicity. Those with alcoholic liver disease, trauma such as burns or surgery, viral hepatitis, diabetes or a kidney disease may be at higher risk for zinc deficiency. Moderate to severe zinc deficiencies result in growth retardation, poor appetite, underfunctioning sex glands, mental lethargy, delayed wound healing, poor taste and smell, and an increased chance of infection. The RDA is 15 mg for men, 12 mg for women, 10 mg for children 1-10 yrs, 3 mg for infants, 15 mg for pregnant women and 16-19 mg for lactating women. Good food sources include liver, shellfish, oysters, meat, and hard cheese. Other excellent sources of zinc include whole grain, wheat bran and wheat germ, all of which are refined for many foods, decreasing the amount of zinc.

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