By Gluten-Free Remedies

 

Zinc is an essential mineral which is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions and regulates various aspects of immune responses, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc is essential for normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell.

 

The human body does not have a specialized zinc storage system. Therefore, daily consumption (15 – 30 miligrams) of zinc is required to maintain its steady level. Although the body does not produce zinc on its own, this mineral is readily available in certain foods such as oysters, lean meat, poultry, and organ meats.

Fruits have little or no zinc, and beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are not a good source of zinc either. This is because foods containing fiber also contain phytic acid, a substance that blocks zinc absorption. For this reason, vegetarians and people with high-fiber diets may have a zinc deficiency.

 

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include slowed growth in children, slow wound healing, frequent infections, brittle nails, hair loss, low sperm count, and diminished sense of taste and smell.

 

Why take zinc and copper together?

Zinc has an inverse relationship with copper in the body. As zinc goes down, copper goes up and vice versa. Long-term use of zinc inhibits copper absorption so it is a good idea to take both together.

 

Copper is an essential trace mineral present in all body tissues and is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body (behind iron and zinc). Approximately 90% of the copper in the blood is incorporated into a compound called ceruloplasmin, which is a transport protein responsible for carrying copper to tissues.

 

Copper is a key component of many enzymes that regulate various metabolic processes including iron utilization, elimination of free radicals, development of bone and connective tissue, thyroid hormones synthesis, myelin synthesis, and production of the skin and hair pigment, melanin.

 

Copper deficiency symptoms include anemia, bone disorders, defective spinal cord, hair greying and hair becoming fine and straight, losing its curl, infertility, varicose veins, wrinkling skin, and hernias. The recommended dose of copper is 2 mg a day.

 

Visit www.glutenfreeremdies.com to learn more about Zinc/Copper.

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.