Zinc is a critical mineral that is needed by the body, but yet one nutrient that doesn’t get much attention. Most people are too busy focusing on how many grams of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats they are consuming. But yet, zinc does play a role in your everyday energy levels and well-being, so it’s one that you must be taking in.

Let’s take a closer look at what this mineral is all about.

What Zinc Does In Your Body

One of the biggest roles that zinc is going to play in your body is with helping you maintain a strong immune system. It helps to defend against invading bacteria and viruses, reducing your risk of falling ill.

Additionally, it’s also used in the role of cell division, cell growth, as well as wound healing.

If you aren’t getting enough of this mineral in your body, you may also not be able to break down the carbohydrates you eat optimally. This leads to lower energy levels and poor function.

Males also need zinc for the proper development of the male sex hormone, testosterone.

Finally, this mineral is also required for optimizing your sense of taste and smell, so if you’re struggling with these two senses, you may in fact be deficient.

Signs of Deficiency

What other signs of deficiency should you be the lookout for?

Those who are low in zinc may notice:

• They experience more common colds and flu’s
• Men may notice they feel weaker and less like themselves
• You may not have a strong sense of smell or taste
• You may notice wounds are slow to heal or you bruise easily
• Your energy level may be constantly low

Foods Rich In Zinc

Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to fix zinc deficiency. All you need to do is focus on getting more foods with these nutrients into your diet plan.

Excellent sources of this nutrient include beef, pork, as well as lamb. If you are going to serve chicken, opt for dark meat as you’ll find more zinc than with white meat.

In addition to that, you can also find it in nuts, whole grains, legumes, as well as yeast and yeast-based foods.

Fruits and vegetables are unfortunately not a good source of this nutrient, so while these foods may supply a wealth of other nutrients, they won’t give you this particular nutrient.

So either consider supplementing with zinc or make sure your diet is in check. Don’t miss out on what this mineral has to offer.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.