Zinc is an essential mineral. This means our body does not produce zinc, so it has to be received from the food we eat. It is an important trace element that helps with cellular metabolism, protects from oxidative stress, is necessary for the normal function of natural killer cells, which kill pathogens and cancer cells, and helps with the aging process.

Zinc is necessary for immune function, reproduction, the building of DNA, the formation of protein, which becomes the structure of our bodies, cell division as well as cell signaling. Zinc is responsible for the senses of smell and taste as well.

The best food source of zinc is food from animals, like meat, eggs, and dairy. Because of bad health information promoted by the government, older people who have avoided meat due to fears of high cholesterol, tend to have a greater zinc deficiency.

Zinc deficiency is prevalent in people with HIV. Supplementing with zinc slows progression of the disease.

A study done on patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19, who were zinc deficient, had longer hosptial stays and higher death rates. We also saw that Covid-19 depletes zinc, because so many people lost their senses of smell and/or taste during the pandemic.

Because of its antiviral properties, taking zinc with colds and flu, can shorten the duration of the sickness. It can also keep it from becoming severe.

Zinc is beneficial for skin conditions. It helps wounds to heal by promoting the growth of new cells, reduces inflammation in skin conditions like eczema, and helps with conditions like acne by regulating oil production.

People who tend to have greater zinc deficiency are diabetics, vegetarians, especially vegans, children with sickle cell anemia, ones who have had bariatric surgery, ones who have gastrointestinal disease, women who are pregnant or lactating, and people with alcohol use disorder.