Zinc and the Baby Boomers
Zinc is an essential trace mineral and is involved in multiple activities in cellular metabolism. Researchers have shown that the mineral may be involved in more body functions than any other mineral.
It was first categorized as an antioxidant in the early 1990's and as such can help reduce the damage caused by free radicals to the different systems of the body. It accomplishes this by its protection of proteins and enzymes in the body and the prevention of free radical formation by other metals. In short, free radical generating reactions are inhibited.
For aging baby boomers, there is a host of functions and/or conditions that the mineral may aid in or counter the onset of. These are a few that apply more specifically to the baby boomers.
- Antioxidant
- The Immune System
- Thymus Gland with its function in T-cell production
- Nervous System Disorders
- DNA Synthesis
- Cell Division
- Healthy Skin and associated disorders
- Macular Degeneration
Zinc helps to protect the chemical structure of more than 100 vital enzymes, many of which act as antioxidants in the body. The enzymes already contain zinc molecules so the mineral enhances their ability. Zn may exhibit attributes that the typical antioxidant lacks.
Researchers have found that supplemental doses have had the effect of revitalizing the functioning of the thymus gland, which is crucial to T-cell production and a strong immune system. A T-cell is a type of white blood cell, known as lymphocytes, that help protect the body from infection.
Concerning the immune system, the mineral may also help in the recovery from colds and flu, sore throat and even skin injuries. A strong immune system will help in the body's fight against some autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia.
Inflammation tends to cause the body to consume higher levels of zinc. The decreased levels, in turn, then have the ability to cause a resulting T-Lymphocyte function disorder.
Pandey SP, SK Bhattacharya et al. : Zinc in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 81:618-620, 1985
Zinc is second only to iron in total concentration in the brain. So the prevention of nervous system disorders is an integral part of it's function for the body. Acute Zn deficiency has been proven to impair brain function.
There are the 'common symptoms' of nervous system disorders such as mood changes, mental function and some hyper behaviors. Then there are some of the more advanced disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and Wilson's Disease.
Certain enzymes and coenzymes, the two primary aids in the production of dopamine, which reduces muscle contraction associated with Parkinson's, are aided by the two most concentrated metals in the brain, iron and zinc.
Zn is also used to help the body prevent absorption of copper in the intestine. It is excessive copper levels that accumulates in body tissues that is the primary culprit causing neurological symptoms, one of which is known as Wilson's Disease.
As already stated, this trace mineral is essential for all living organisms. DNA synthesis or replication is also a necessary body process that is essential and zinc helps to maintain that integrity. It is not fully known exactly how the mineral assists in this function. It is known that the individual DNA strands must come apart or unwind before attaching to a new partner to form a newly completed replicated strand. It is within the cells containing the enzymes that insure accurate replication that the zinc does it's work. Amazing!
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The human body contains approximately 100 trillion cells. The cells must divide and replenish at a rapid rate to keep the body healthy and functioning properly. If the body has a decrease in zinc, cell division drastically slows down. Again, zinc is essential to the enzyme systems that influence the division and growth of cells.
Healthy skin for aging baby boomers is another area that is crucial for proper intakes of zinc. The skin is a pretty good indicator of our overall health. Indicators that may include such symptoms as dry and/or oily skin, acne, psoriasis and even inflammation may be signs of poor health internally. Slow wound healing, for instance, may even be an indicator of diabetes.
We all are tempted to treat the skin externally but treatment of skin problems should also be addressed as an internal problem. Zinc and essential fatty acids (EFA) work together as a team that help produce good internal health. This in turn is seen outwardly in the form of youthful looking and healthy skin.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and vision loss is another concern for our aging baby boomers generation. Research has shown that the combination of zinc working with antioxidants may delay the onset of the AMD and the resulting vision loss. Evans JR. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;(2):CD000254. [PubMed abstract]
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is a major clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Quote 'Results from the AREDS showed that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.'
Food sources for zinc include meat and chicken, certain sea foods including oysters, crab and lobster. Other sources are beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products. The recommended daily allowance is 12 to 15 mg.
Typically, dietary intake is sufficient but there are causes that might result in a deficiency. Some common causes may include digestive disorders, high vegetarian diets that may inhibit absorption and high alcoholic intake.
Supplements may be warranted in such cases. For whatever cause, studies have shown that approximately 35%–45% of adults aged 60 years or older had zinc intakes below the estimated average requirement. Ervin RB, Kennedy-Stephenson J. Mineral intakes of elderly adult supplement and non-supplement users in the third national health and nutrition examination survey. J Nutr 2002;132:3422-7. [PubMed abstract]
One quick word of caution here. Zinc supplements in excess have been shown to interact with several types of medications. Medications such as certain types of antibiotics, penicillamine and diuretics.
However, as a repeat, zinc supplements for those over age 50 have shown to lessen the effects of macular degeneration, possibly by enhancing the body's processing of vitamin A. There are many other positive results of supplementation as well.
Specific to the Baby Boomers
Antioxidant It reduces the damage caused by free radicals to the different systems of the body by its protection of proteins and enzymes in the body.
Immune System It revitalizes the function of the thymus gland, which is crucial to T-cell production and a strong immune system.
Nervous System Disorders Zinc is one of the primary metals in the brain. It aids in the prevention of nervous system disorders and in the function of enzymes and coenzymes which help with muscle reaction associated with the disorders.
DNA Synthesis It works within the cells that contain the enzymes that insure accurate replication.
Cell Division It is essential to the enzyme systems that influence the division and growth of cells.
Healthy Skin Zinc is essential for youthful looking and healthy skin.
Macular Degeneration Studies have shown that the mineral increases the effects of vitamin A and other antioxidants to help prevent vision loss.
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