Zinc promotes appetite and protects eyesight: Physiological functions of zinc and target groups for zinc supplementation.

91. Zinc, promotes appetite and protects eyesight.

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements for the human body. Although the amount in the human body is very small and the daily intake is also relatively small, zinc plays a vital role in sexual function and the generation of reproductive cells. Therefore, it is known as the "harmony element of marriage" and the "spark of life".

The normal human body contains 2-3 grams of zinc. Trace amounts of zinc are distributed in most tissues, with higher concentrations found in bones, muscles, and the liver. Zinc is a major component of dozens of enzymes in the body. Zinc also promotes lymphocyte activity and proliferation, and is very useful in maintaining normal mucous membranes and epithelial tissues, defending against viral and bacterial invasion, reducing skin lesions such as acne, promoting wound healing, and correcting taste impairment.

Physiological functions of zinc

Zinc deficiency can affect the taste system, causing a dulling of the sense of taste. Zinc can enhance taste and improve appetite by participating in the formation of a zinc-containing protein called salivary protein.

Zinc promotes appetite. Zinc deficiency often leads to a lack of appetite. Oral histidine often causes artificial zinc deficiency (histidine removes zinc bound to albumin in the body and excretes it in urine, causing zinc deficiency), which also leads to a significant decrease in appetite. All of this demonstrates the important role of zinc in maintaining a normal appetite.

Protecting skin health. Zinc deficiency significantly threatens skin health, leading to dryness, roughness, and histologically, keratinization and epithelial keratinization of the esophagus. Such skin lesions are difficult to heal, and even when they do, the healing process is very slow. Furthermore, zinc deficiency increases skin susceptibility.

It promotes normal sexual function and sexual organs. Zinc deficiency can lead to a decrease in sperm count and a significant decline in sexual function, but these symptoms can be alleviated by timely intake of sufficient zinc.

Zinc plays a crucial role in immune function. It participates in cell replication, including that of immune response cells, and is extremely important. Zinc deficiency can lead to thymic atrophy and reduced weight of the spleen and thymus. Zinc deficiency impairs T-cell function, causing cell-mediated immune changes and reducing overall immunity. It also reduces immune cell proliferation, decreases thymic factor activity, reduces DNA synthesis, and alters cell surface receptors. Therefore, zinc deficiency weakens the body's resistance, weakens the immune system, and makes the body more susceptible to bacterial infections.

Who needs zinc supplements?

Those experiencing premature aging should supplement with zinc. If the body does not receive a normal supply of zinc, cellular function will be significantly affected, and the aging process will accelerate. Specifically, zinc has a preventative effect against diabetes, premature aging, high blood pressure, liver disease, and heart disease. For healthy individuals, adequate zinc intake can help prolong life and prevent disease.

Vegetarians should supplement their diets with zinc. Some people love to eat vegetables, while others are forced to eat vegetables due to arteriosclerosis or other diseases. While vegetables are rich in fiber, which provides many health benefits, they contain trace amounts of some essential micronutrients, including zinc. Therefore, those who enjoy vegetables should also consume zinc-rich foods such as poultry, meat, dairy products, legumes, and seafood.

People with weakened immune systems should supplement with zinc. Zinc plays an important role in nucleic acid synthesis. When the body is deficient in zinc, the activity of thymic factor decreases, the thymus atrophies, immune function declines, T cell function weakens, and the body becomes highly susceptible to microbial infections.

People with poor eyesight should supplement with zinc. Zinc participates in the synthesis of retinol-binding protein and vitamin A, and mobilizes vitamin A from the liver into the blood plasma, thereby maintaining normal levels of vitamin A in the blood plasma. This plays an important protective role in vision, and zinc in the eye can enhance night vision.

Foods rich in zinc that we eat regularly include the pancreas, oysters, animal blood, liver, eggs, lean meat, walnuts, whole grains, watermelon seeds, and peanuts. Generally, grains, fruits, and vegetables all contain zinc, and as long as we have a properly balanced diet, we generally will not suffer from zinc deficiency.