Importance of Zinc for Longevity
While zinc is better known for its role in fighting colds and flu, it has far-ranging more positive effects on human health, from strengthening the body’s immune defenses, improving libido and importantly ensuring longevity.
Zinc deficiency is associated with numerous disease states and even with DNA damage, which may contribute to cancer. With a preponderance of scientific evidence suggesting that zinc deficiency is common throughout the world, it is all the more important that health-conscious adults take steps to ensure optimal zinc status.
Do You Have A Zinc Deficiency?
Low levels of zinc in your diet will produce an altered sense of taste, which will lead to cravings for saltier and sweeter foods. Excessive deficiency can be indicated by diarrhea, low energy, chronic fatigue, infertility, poor immunity, bad memory, inability to focus, ADD symptoms, slow wound healing, nerve dysfunction and ringing in the ears. While there may be symptoms, it will be difficult to tie them to a zinc deficiency without a proper test, so it is important to speak to your doctor.
Add Longevity To Your Diet
Zinc is found in large concentrations in meat, some seafood and dairy products. Whole grains and legumes contain zinc, but it is bound to phytates in these plant-based foods, making the zinc inaccessible by the body; this means vegetarians are more susceptible to a zinc deficiency.
The Connection Between, Zinc, Alzeheimer’s And Longevity
Zinc is very high in antioxidants, which allow it to efficiently remove toxins from the body and prevent them from building up in the tissues, causing cell deterioration. The progression of neuro-degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease is accelerated by a heavy-metal build-up in the brain, but studies have found that zinc can help to get rid of those toxins; it also helps to maintain cellular homeostasis of brain cells, which assists in warding off Alzheimer’s.
Studies have shown that zinc is vital for maintaining the health of cardiovascular cells and the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines the blood vessels and plays a major role in the circulation of blood in and around the heart. Low zinc levels can cause a deficiency in the endothelial barrier, which can lead to high cholesterol and inflammation, and cause complications with heart health. Studies show that poor zinc status can amplify the negative cardiovascular effects of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, whereas an adequate zinc intake will have a protective effect and inhibit the progression of heart disease.
Zinc and Female Fertility
In women, zinc is involved in the growth of the ocyte. If women are zinc-deficient, the egg won’t mature properly and ovulation will be impeded, causing infertility. Adequate zinc allows women to use oestrogen and progesterone efficiently, which supports reproductive health.
“Zinc Is Important For Longevity” Editor Longevity Live, Retrieved 2 May 2016. <http://www.longevitylive.com/nutrition-body/why-zinc-is-important-for-longevity/>.