Something to “Zinc” About

If I told you ten dollars a month could give you an “anti-covid shield”, would you believe me? If I upped the ante and added, the fact that it will also protect you against any respiratory virus looking to have its way with you, would you jump at the chance? Sure, you would. I did…and it’s the best $10 I ever spent!!! What magical shield do I speak about? It’s a cheap, trace mineral known as Zinc.

Ok, let’s be realistic, it’s not a magic pill. Like any other supplement, it must be utilized in the correct environment. If you are a generally healthy person, zinc can super-enhance your immune system. If you are on a steady diet of processed foods and high sugar, your body is storing excess fat from insulin production and in a constant state of inflammation. Your immune system is essentially fighting off the non-digestible and, in some cases, toxic food you eat. In this case, you may not see the overt effects of the Zinc because your body is in constant battle. In the middle of all that chaos of inflammation and high insulin spikes, zinc is trying to do damage control. That does not mean it’s not working. It just means you can’t see the aid it’s giving you. It’s like cleaning an area in the middle of a messy home. Sure, you’ve made a small difference, but the mess is so huge it goes relatively unnoticed. When your home is in good shape, cleaning enhances the beauty. In your body, this is when zinc shows its true power. When that army of white blood cells is resting thats when zinc really does its magic!

So, what is Zinc doing? Well, there is a metabolic process that happens in our body know as oxidation. It happens every time you breathe in oxygen from the environment. The body converts it to energy to be used by the cells. The byproducts of oxidation are known as free radicals. Free radicals are molecules necessary for the stimulation of repair within the cell. These free radicals can easily become overwhelming in number. Remember, you’re always breathing in oxygen, so unchecked oxidation can lead to damage of healthy cells. From this, diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer occur.

Our bodies combat those naturally forming free radicals with molecules known as antioxidants. They eliminate the excess, damaging, free radicals. When the number of free-radical molecules outnumber the antioxidants that keep them in check, it’s called oxidative stress. This occurs in times of high physical or emotional stress. I would have to say…the times we are living in right now, may be causing you just a bit of stress! The trace mineral that keeps this balance in check is…zinc! Without adequate zinc, the immune cells are being damaged by oxidation and makes us more susceptible to colds and influenza (a.k.a. COVID [insert kooky variant name here].

So, the next question is, where do we get Zinc? Well, it comes naturally from animal products, shellfish, beans, and some high fiber grains. The problem with zinc is the body doesn’t store it. It gets used and excreted quickly. You can’t eat a meal of beans and poultry and expect zinc to be there days later. You need a constant supply. Enter zinc supplements. Cheap and comes in many forms…pill, liquid, gummy.

How much zinc should you take? The safe upper level for zinc supplemental intake is 25 mg a day. You can’t get more than 17 mg a day from food alone. The maximum amount you can ingest in a day is 42 mg. If you are an adult of average size, you should not experience any adverse effect at this level of intake. Though this is slightly higher than the daily dosage. Children between the ages of 1 and 3 should not get more than 7 milligrams of zinc. The tolerable upper intake level is 12 milligrams for children between the ages of 4 and 8 and 23 milligrams for children between 9- and 13-years-old. Too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, or headaches. Many Zinc supplements come in 50mg tablets. The reason for this is absorption. The body only absorbs around 80% of the zinc from the tablet, keeping it under the max level.

When taken correctly, Zinc will be the best defense from COVID

and its variants. The simplicity of it is that it supports your body’s immune system and keeps free radicals from damaging your healthy cells. I am luckily two years past my last serious cold or virus, have not had a fever throughout the whole pandemic and have never tested positive for COVID. I am not living by the anti-science of COVID protocols and have come out better than I was going in. As a nutritionist and big supporter of natural immunity, I highly recommend you embrace daily zinc supplementation. Coupled with a healthy diet of lean animal products (unless you are vegetarian or vegan) and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, you can live life knowing you are equipped with a killer defense…your own zinc enhanced immune system.

Be well and let common sense be your guide in this very different world climate!

I am a certified nutritionist and personal trainer. The information I share with you is based on documented facts and years of research. My innate desire to change the world for the better is my sole motivation. If you have a question about anything nutrition related contact me, I will respond as soon as possible.

Mike - bodymindandspirit@protonmail.com