Cebu City - Zinc is an essential nutrient found in a variety of plant and animal foods, along with supplements. It plays a key role in skin health, immune function, and cell growth and may protect against acne, inflammation, and other conditions.

The role of zinc in our body is to participate in metabolic reactions such as the synthesis or degradation of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. It interacts with insulin to facilitate the uptake of glucose by cells of adipose tissue and facilitates wound healing and blood clotting.

Individuals consuming unprocessed or minimally processed diets consisting of unrefined whole grains or unleavened whole bread and very minimal animal source foods are at a greater risk for zinc deficiency. Deficiency manifestations are diverse including hair loss, dermatitis, growth retardation, impaired taste acuity, delayed wound healing, decreased dark adaptation, and delayed sexual maturity.

Long-term treatment for zinc deficiency starts with changing your diet. To start, consider eating more poultry, seeds, wheat germ, wild rice, and oysters. Extra zinc can be obtained from a supplement, usually in the form of a pill or capsule. Your doctor will recommend the right dose for you, depending on your symptoms. Zinc can also be obtained from some multivitamin supplements or cold remedies that contain zinc. // PDO I Joyce M. Santillan, RND