Skin Zinc - Zinc Review

Skin Zinc - Important Functions And Potential

Zinc deficiency in skin and organs is fairly common now as a result of soil losses and losses in food processing, and this deficiency or depletion can produce a variety of symptoms.

Zinc is needed in probably more than 100 enzymes and is probably involved in more body functions than any other mineral. It is important in normal growth and development, the maintenance of body tissues, sexual function, the immune system, and detoxification of chemicals and metabolic irritants.

Carbohydrate metabolism is influenced by zinc, and zinc is needed in the synthesis of DNA, which aids our body's healing process. That's why zinc is often helpful in reducing healing time after surgery or burns, in many male prostate problems, in skin diseases, and in many other difficulties.

Zinc is found in the body in small amounts, only about 2-2.5 grams total. Of the trace minerals, it is second in concentration to iron, with 33 ppm to iron's 60 ppm.

When cooking, much of the zinc may go into the water, as do other minerals and vitamins, so the cooking liquids, especially from vegetables, should be consumed as well. When foods are processed, as in the refining of grains, much of the zinc is lost, along with manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and B vitamins. Usually, only iron and sometimes vitamins B1 and B2 are added back in "enriched" foods (and this iron isn't even in the easily usable form). Adding zinc, manganese, chromium, and more B vitamins such as B6, would be much better and help to avoid common deficiencies.

The skin contains a high amount of zinc, but it is less concentrated than in the organ tissues. Nails, hair, and teeth also have some zinc, and this mineral is important to those tissues as well. Stress, burns, surgery, and weight loss all seem to increase body losses of zinc.

Skin Zinc Sources:

Most animal foods contain adequate amounts of zinc. Oysters are particularly high, with more than ten times as much as other sources (they are also high in copper and, possibly, in ocean-polluting chemicals and metals).

Zinc is added to animal feeds to increase growth rates, so meat usually contains high amounts. Red meats (beef, lamb, and pork) and liver are fairly high; herring is good, as are egg yolks and milk products (though the zinc in eggs and milk products may not be as available to the body as that found in other sources).

Other fish and poultry also contain fair zinc levels. As with iron, the zinc in animal foods seems to be better absorbed than that in the vegetable sources, but one can reduce meat foods and eat whole grains and beans and still obtain adequate zinc.

Overall, it is not easy for most people eating a relatively healthy diet to obtain the minimum requirement of 15 mg. daily unless they focus on zinc-containing foods.

Skin Zinc Functions:

Through this action, zinc may help maintain healthy skin cells and thus may be helpful in generating new skin after burns or injury. By helping collagen formation, zinc may also improve wound healing. Zinc aids the skin's oil glands and so may help in acne problems.

Researches show that skin zinc is one of the most successful treatment for psoriasis, eczema, seborrhea, dermatitis and other skin problems.

Zinc may be useful in treating such skin problems as boils, bedsores, general dermatitis, and acne. Research on zinc and acne shows variable results, but many teenagers and others have been helped, especially when zinc deficiency was present; it is likely that other factors and nutrients are also involved in acne.

Psoriasis is even occasionally responsive to zinc supplementation. White spots on the fingernails, which can be a result of zinc deficiency, may respond also to zinc treatment. Zinc may also be helpful to general nail health, as well as skin and hair health. Cataracts also seem to be associated with zinc deficiency and have been helped by treatment.

Factors Related to Zinc Deficiency

Diet—low in zinc or high in copper; high in fiber, phytates, clay, alcohol, or phosphates, all of which bind zinc in the intestines and reduce absorption; food grown in low-zinc soils.
Aging—when zinc absorption and intake are often reduced.
Pregnancy—when zinc needs are increased.
Growth periods—infancy, especially with increased copper intake levels and for those on low-zinc formulas; puberty, especially in adolescent boys.
Birth control pills—use of these increases copper levels and thus reduces zinc.
Premenstrual symptoms—associated with low zinc.
Increased copper intake—high copper intake in water, food, or supplements will reduce zinc.
Fasting or starvation—causes zinc depletion and increases needs for zinc.
Serious illness or injury—causes zinc depletion and increases needs due to tissue healing.
Hospitalization—stress of illness or treatment, particularly intravenous therapy without zinc supplementation.
Stress—increases zinc use and needs.
Burns—increases needs for tissue healing and dealing with stress.
Acute or chronic infections—greater requirements from stress and for healing.
Surgery—increased requirements for dealing with stress and for healing.
Alcoholism—often associated with low zinc intake and higher needs; alcohol flushes zinc from the liver, causing increased losses.
Diuretic therapy—may cause extra zinc losses.
Psoriasis—rapid skin activity may deplete zinc.
Parasites—cause zinc depletion and poor absorption.
Malabsorption—from pancreatic insufficiency or after gastrointestinal surgery.
Cirrhosis—zinc levels may be half of normal.
Renal disease—causes increased zinc
Chronic disease—metabolic and debilitating disease such as cancer.
Athletics—increased zinc losses in sweat.
Cadmium toxicity—interferes with zinc absorption and utilization.

Possible Uses for Zinc

	Acne	Surgery recovery
	Boils	Wound healing
	Psoriasis	Skin ulcers
	Gastric ulcers	Immune suppression
	Sore throats	Prostate congestion
	Colds	Benign prostatic
	Anorexia nervosa	hypertrophy
	Hypertension	Male sexual problems
	Cataracts	Infertility
	Infections	Pregnancy
	Alcoholism	Decreased hearing
	Schizophrenia	Fatigue
	Environmental sensitivity	Weak muscles

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