Zinc is an essential mineral that plays very important roles in maintaining body health. The body can’t make Zinc on its own, so we must make this mineral available to body through food sources. Zinc is stored in the muscles, blood cells, retina of the eye, skin, bone, kidney, liver, pancreas, and in men, prostate.

Zinc helps the immune system function properly and boosts its efficiency. Our body cells need this mineral for their growth and division. This mineral also helps in wound healing, carbohydrate metabolism, maintenance of our sense of smell and taste. Zinc is also necessary for the formation of insulin in beta cells of pancreas. (Various researches are going on in evaluating the role of zinc in preventing diabetes).This mineral also acts as an anti-oxidant and nullifies effects of free radicals which damage cells of our body.

Health care experts think that zinc plays a major role in development of sperm or spermatogenesis. Many new findings show that elevation of zinc level in testes during spermatogenesis. Also they have found that deficiency of zinc may cause low sperm count and motility. Hence male infertility is also treated with zinc supplements along with other medications. Zinc acts as anti-oxidant and prevents oxidative damages that happen to sperms. Oxidative damages lower the quality of sperms.  A comparison between semen of fertile and infertile men showed increased presence of zinc in semen of fertile men.

Many studies have shown that deficiency of zinc is directly related to low testosterone level. Zinc is needed for production of testosterone. Zinc deficiency causes low level of testosterone. This in turn causes erectile dysfunction in men. Hence men are recommended to consume foods which are rich in zinc.

Studies done by many health professionals have shown that minerals such as magnesium, selenium, chromium and zinc are important to control chronic inflammation and insulin dysfunction. Chronic inflammation and insulin dysfunction are mainly found in PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Symptoms).  PCOD or PCOS can also cause depression. But zinc helps in relieving depression.

Does Ayurveda Mention about Zinc?

Yes, Ayurveda recommends use of preparations which have zinc as an ingredient, to treat diabetes, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, low sperm motility and female infertility.

Zinc also known as Yashada is mentioned in ayurvedic pharmacology. The ash of zinc which contains zinc in required quantity is used in ayurvedic preparations. This ash of zinc is known as Yashada Bhasma . This is used in conditions like diseases of eyes, diabetes, anaemia, bronchitis, male infertility and female infertility. Hence this ingredient has been added in the PCORID CAPSULES which are used as an ayurvedic treatment for PCOS or PCOD.

What happens if you take zinc in excess?

The current daily value (DV) for Zinc is 15mg .Consuming zinc more than required level causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramp.

Foods Containing Zinc:

Animal foods are better sources of zinc than plant foods.Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, lamb, toasted wheat germ, spinach, carrots, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, nuts, dark chocolate, pork, chicken, beans, and mushrooms..

Disturbances which happen in body due to zinc deficiency

• Hair loss,
• Eye and skin lesions
• Delayed wound healing,
• Hypogonadism
• Impotence.
• slow growth in children
• trouble fighting off illnesses
• weight loss
• lack of appetite