Zinc: what is it for the body?
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Zinc is necessary for the health of the body no less than other microelements or vitamins. However, not many people know why this element is considered vital.
Already many years ago, experts confirmed that zinc participates in the construction of the human body, supports the immunity and genital functionality of a person. Zinc is very important for children's organism and for pregnant women, as it takes part in important processes of cellular construction and division.
The useful abilities of zinc continue to be studied, and scientists are in a hurry to share their new discoveries.
According to the latest study, it was found that zinc can protect DNA from damage and damage.
The constant supply of zinc in the body helps to preserve high-quality genetic material, preventing the development of oncology, coronary and other diseases.
It's no secret that with age, the cellular DNA also changes, that is, it ages. But the body does everything possible to periodically launch a "repair" of genetic material. In conditions of a lack of zinc, this "repair" mechanism is broken, and DNA quickly "wears out."
In the periodical American journal of clinical nutrition it is indicated that people who take 4 mg of zinc every day have better genetic material, have stronger immunity and less often have infectious diseases and oncology.
Specialists representing the CHORI Institute based at the University of California (Los Angeles) have set a goal to determine how zinc, which enters the body with food, can affect metabolism and other intracellular processes. This project was led by Professor Janet King, a senior researcher at CHORI.
Professor King and other experts selected 18 volunteer male participants for the experiment. They deliberately prescribed food with a minimum content of zinc in the diet. Half of the participants used 6 mg of zinc per day, and the other half - 10 mg.
The study lasted a month and a half.
At the very beginning and at the end of the experiment, specialists determined the values of zinc homeostasis and other metabolic parameters, the presence of DNA damage, inflammatory reactions and oxidation processes in the subjects' bodies.
It was found that even a slight increase in the use of zinc led to positive changes in the body. Simultaneously with the increase in the plasma concentration of the microelement, scientists were able to observe a decrease in the number of microdamages in leukocyte DNA. Indirectly, this indicates that zinc has the ability to inhibit the aging of cellular genetic material.
"For the first time scientists managed to prove the use of zinc to maintain cellular health. We are amazed at how important this element is for cellular processes. Therefore, we advise you to include zinc in the diet of adequate nutrition, "- commented on the results of the study, Professor King.