All you need to know about zinc

Reading time: 2 minutes | Written with love by: Alexis

Zinc is an essential trace element for a wide range of biological functions and Alexis tells you all about it in detail!

THE ROLE OF ZINC

Zinc is a trace element, a mineral salt that cannot be produced by our body. Although zinc is present in very small quantities in our body, it contributes to and is essential for a wide range of biological functions.

ZINC DEFICIENCY

Zinc deficiency is defined as a serum zinc concentration of <10.7 ml/L. It is usually caused by malnutrition and reduced dietary intake. It can also occur with a strict vegetarian diet.

Zinc deficiency affects the body as zinc contributes to :

the maintenance of normal bones, normal hair, normal nails
the maintenance of normal skin
normal DNA synthesis
normal fertility and reproduction
normal function of the immune system

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ZINC SOURCES AND ABSORPTION

Zinc is mainly present in animal products such as meat and oysters (shellfish). However, it is also found in wheat and rye germ, pulses, walnuts and tea.

Oyster	22,5mg	Rack of veal	7,6 mg
Wheat germ	14 mg	Lobster	7,27 mg
Canned crab	11,9 mg	Morbier cheese	7 mg
Beef shank	11 mg	Ham	6,5 mg
Sesame seed	10,2 mg	Minced beef	6,37 mg
Flank steak	8,33 mg	Pine nuts	5,6 mg
Shiitaké (mushroom)	7,66 mg	Red lentils	3,9 mg

Zinc is absorbed by the intestinal wall by a passive mechanism. This is why we offer zinc as a tablet to be swallowed. Taking a large quantity of zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper or iron, so it is best not to supplement with these two minerals at the same time.

DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ZINC

The Nutritional Reference Values (NRV) of zinc in the EU is 10 mg per day for an adult, with higher levels recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

ZZZINC FROM THE BIO FRERES