Every major metabolic pathway in our body depends on micronutrients; vitamins and minerals. The key to good nutrition, health and energy is ensuring you have enough of these micronutrients.
In particular, zinc is one of the first deficiencies we look at with all our clients at the BePure clinic. Zinc is a vital mineral and is involved in over 200 enzyme reactions within our bodies. Zinc deficiency often means poorer absorption of zinc from high-zinc foods.
In this blog I’m going to look at zinc specifically to cover why we need it, why we aren’t getting enough and what can happen if you suffer from zinc deficiency.
So can we get all of these nutrients from our food?
No. Our soils are heavily depleted in the levels of micronutrients we need. Data from the USDA database shows that there is up to a 38% decline in protein, calcium, vit C, phosphorus, iron and riboflavin between 1941 and 2001.
In the same period it was found that iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium levels have declined 63%.
This means that the “average healthy diet” fails to meet our recommended daily intake targets for key micronutrients, with staggering effects.
It is a paradox of modern living. We are “overfed but undernourished”. The word ‘malnourished’ often evokes images of someone who is underweight or sick. But that’s not necessarily the case. You could be missing out on vital nutrients – and be at risk of serious health consequences – but show no symptoms.
You may be eating enough, but may not be absorbing enough nutrients - even if your diet is made up of nutritious foods.
Zinc; A key nutrient for total health and energy
Zinc is a vital nutrient for healthy immune function, energy and metabolic regulation - as it is needed to make insulin. It is also key for male reproductive health.
We don’t know exactly how common zinc deficiency is by way of a comprehensive study, but in our clinic it is incredibly common. So common we have developed our own Zinc Taste Test, launching next week.
Several studies suggest that in New Zealand many adolescent girls have low zinc intakes which fail to meet their needs for growth. Intakes of premenopausal women may have fallen over time, and for older women, low zinc intakes are a big concern.
This appears to be partly because people are eating less zinc-rich food such as red meat and seafood, and partly because food-processing methods often remove a lot of the zinc, for example, highly processed grains.
Because of problems with the quality of our soils and a loss of nutrients through food storage and preservation, getting these vital nutrients is harder than ever before. We also use nutrients more quickly because the stress of modern living places a huge demand on our body.
Zinc is a vital mineral and is involved in over 200 enzyme reactions within our bodies. Zinc deficiency often means poorer absorption of zinc from high-zinc foods.
How to tell if you’re zinc deficient
If you are zinc deficient you may be symptomatic. Common symptoms of zinc deficiency include;
- Suppressed immunity, frequent colds or infections
- White spots on your finger nails
- Infertility. Especially male factor infertility. You won’t necessarily know if you suffer from infertility as a male without testing, however if you and your partner have failed to conceive within a year testing for zinc deficiency could be helpful.
- Acid reflux, indigestion or heartburn.
- Depression and anxiety
- Hair loss
- Diarrhoea
- Acne
- Loss of appetite
- Slowed growth in children
- Loss of smell or taste.
Testing for zinc deficiency is most effective through a functional taste test. Utilising blood testing for zinc status is unreliable because your body will hold zinc in the blood even if you are chronically deficient.
Here at BePure we use a functional taste test. Detecting the naturally bitter or unpleasant taste of zinc is dependant on having enough zinc in your body to detect it. For many people, they can take a liquid sample of zinc and it tastes just like water.
There is a scale of zinc deficiency when using the taste test. Some people will taste nothing at all. These people are likely very deficient. Others will taste a slightly unpleasant or “furry” taste after 5 seconds. Others will taste a mildly unpleasant taste relatively quickly but it isn’t strong or overpowering. Lastly, those with good zinc status will taste the astringent and bitter taste straight away.
Foods with high levels of zinc
Increasing your dietary intake of zinc is important for maintaining your zinc levels. Once you get zinc deficient it's very difficult to get your zinc levels up from food, as the absorption of zinc relies somewhat on zinc.
As an example, you may use all your zinc recovering from an operation as it's heavily used in wound healing. If this happens you can no longer get zinc from food and so slowly your health decreases. It's not until you begin to supplement a high strength, high bioavailable form of zinc, like BePure Zinc Restore that you can get your zinc levels back up and then be able to maximise your zinc from food sources.
Foods high in zinc include;
- Oysters, and other seafood (crab, lobster, mussels)
- Red meat, especially beef
- Chicken and pork
- Cashews
- Chickpeas
- Hard Cheeses.
Nutritional Support for Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency is so common in our BePure clinic we test for it with every client we see. We are releasing two new products next week; a zinc taste test to check for zinc deficiency and a product called BePure Zinc Restore. Zinc Restore provides a high strength, highly bioavailable form of Zinc Picolinate to help restore the body’s Zinc status.
Look out for these new products next week. If after completing the test you discover you are deficient in zinc, you can contact us at info@bepure.co.nz to discuss the best option for restoring your zinc status.
Ben Warren presents
'The Hormone Secret'
Have stubborn weight that just won't budge, energy slumps, painful PMS or menopause issues? Join Ben Warren as he shares the secret role hormones play in your health, why our modern world is working against healthy female hormones and how to naturally heal your hormones and bring them back to balance. This is information every woman needs to know. Learn more and register here.
