With Autumn really starting to take hold, many of you might be starting to worry about struggling with recurrent infections, colds, fatigue or healing to 100% wellness. We are great believers that prevention is better than cure, and that is why we want to talk about zinc!

Zinc is an essential mineral for your body, and one of the most purposeful minerals for this season! It is a powerful antioxidant, crucial to immunity, and helps fight infection and prevent colds.

In this blog, you will discover the true benefits of zinc, how it works, why you might be low in it, and the best ways to get more into your system. 

So, if you think that a good boost to your immune system might be just what you need, then read on to find out how a zinc boost could really help to see you healthily through the autumn and winter seasons. 

What Is Zinc?

Zinc is needed by every single cell in your body and is contained in enzymes, which are chemicals necessary for hundreds of body processes that take place. From cell growth to immunity, it is a crucial in most of your body functions. 

Involved in immunity, fertility and hormone regulation, skin regeneration, energy production, fighting infection, DNA repair, brain function and in creating a healthy nervous system. It is therefore vital that your zinc levels are kept. 

What’s more, your body doesn’t produce or store zinc itself. So, the zinc you need to stay well, and function healthily, always needs to come from an external supply! Keeping an eye on your zinc levels couldn’t really be more important.

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Zinc’s Top 6 Benefits

We know that Zinc is imperative to your system working as it should and that it is so crucial that we keep zinc at an optimum level to allow our body to function. But how will you truly benefit, in real terms?

Here is our round-up of the Top 6 Benefits of Zinc!

1. Zinc can prevent colds, flu and infections by boosting immunity
2. Zinc can help regulate our hormones, essential for fertility
3. Zinc can support with chronic illness, including lupus, thyroid issues and osteoporosis
4. Zinc can reduce pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis
5. Zinc can help our skin stay healthy, speeding up wound healing
6. Zinc can improve our energy, reducing fatigue.

 Why Might You Be Low On Zinc

With so many of us living such busy, hectic lives, the use of processed foods has increased (even minimally processed). This processing can cause a reduction of the essential minerals and vitamins within that particular food source and is a large part of the reason why you might be at threat of low zinc levels.

Even if you are not actually buying processed meals, unfortunately, unless you are buying completely organically (which can be hard to maintain or afford sometimes), most foods have passed through some kind of processing before they even reach the marketplace. So, even if you pride yourself on your healthy eating, you could still be low or deficient. 

A lot of our dietary zinc will come from protein (mostly meats) and fish. Therefore, if you are vegan or vegetarian, you should also take care to monitor your zinc intake, and supplementing could be a great option for you.

The current EU NRV (Nutrient Reference Value) for zinc is 10mg per day. In supplement form, Zinc is often found combined with Vitamin C as this makes sure both of these immunity boosting super supplements are at optimal levels to keep you fit and well.

Increasing Zinc Intake

Zinc can only come from what you choose to put into your body, whether that is from your diet, or by supplement.

As you know, we are definitely fans of supplementing, as long as it’s from as well respected source and the products are of high quality. If you live a busy life and have a lot to juggle, this can be one of the very best ways to make sure you are looking after your body, and your wellbeing.

However, we also love supporting the body to naturally rebalance itself. So, even if you are supplementing, it is also worth making sure you are eating foods that contain this very crucial source.

These are our top 6 zinc-boosting food recommendations:

1. Seafood - Oysters
2. Protein – Beef, Steak, Pork, Liver
3. Wheatgerm
4. Pumpkin seeds
5. Brazil nuts and almonds
6. Egg yolk

Zinc is one of your essential minerals and is vital for your body to function properly and keep you well and happy. Its presence boosts your immunity, and supports fertility, helps recover from poor health and assists in preventing fatigue, inflammation and chronic illnesses. It is so important to make sure you have a solid intake of the recommended NRV, whether it’s through diet or supplements, or a combination.

As you head towards winter, when your body needs that extra boost overall, zinc is especially important. We are always saying it, but prevention is ALWAYS better than cure, and so looking after yourself is crucial. Now is the time to be preparing rather than waiting until you are ill and trying to rectify it then. Why not make zinc part of your effective long-term wellness policy? We do!

Stay well and happy beautiful one, lots of love,

P.S. Enjoyed our blog? You may like to take a look at our others:

ZMA: The Benefits of a Beautiful Combination of Minerals

AUTUMN SEASON: Changing Our Wellbeing Needs With The Seasons

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