Zinc is a nutrient that plays several important roles within the body. It is an essential element because your body is unable to produce it naturally. Zinc can be obtained from several food sources such as whole grains, meat, beans, nuts, and dairy. You can also take zinc supplements to help maintain healthy levels.
Zinc is required by the body for several processes, including:
♦ Gene expression
♦ Immune function
♦ Wound healing
♦ DNA synthesis
♦ Protein synthesis
♦ Enzymatic reactions
Zinc is a vital mineral that your body uses in countless ways. After iron, zinc is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body, and it can be found in every cell. Maintaining zinc levels is essential to liver function and your overall health.
Promote Liver Health With Zinc
The liver undergoes 30,000 enzymatic reactions per second and supports both metabolic and digestive functions. Everything we ingest has to be detoxified and processed in the liver, before it reaches the rest of our body. All this hard work means that the liver gets exerted, and then it regenerates and it repairs.
Zinc supports liver health in several ways. As a fundamental element in cellular metabolism, zinc helps support the liver’s metabolic functions. Zinc supports proper liver cell activity to aid the detoxification processes, which also supports healthy immune responses.
The liver is also the main organ responsible for zinc metabolism, so when not functioning properly, this critical element is not cycled through the body as needed which affects the liver’s ability to then function efficiently.
Additional Health Benefits of Zinc
Not many people realize how important zinc is for the liver. It is the other benefits of zinc that are more widely known, such as its support of the immune system. It also plays a role in other important processes in the body to support overall health.
Support Immune System Function
Zinc is essential for immune cell function and cell signaling. By stimulating immune cell activity, zinc can promote healthy immune responses to protect against everyday toxins and environmental threats.
Healthy Aging
The ability to reduce occasional oxidative damage allows zinc to support healthy cell activity and aging. By reducing typical oxidative stress and supporting the immune response, zinc can help promote overall health and reduce common age-related issues.
Skin Health
Zinc can be used topically or taken orally to support skin health. The skin is the body’s first line of defense, so the added support of zinc can help protect against environmental threats.
Taking Zinc
Zinc supplements are considered safe for adult use when taken in recommended doses. These doses are 8mg per day for adult women and 11 mg per day for adult men. The tolerable upper level dosage for zinc is 30mg per day. Higher doses should only be taken if recommended by your doctor.
When taking zinc supplements, choose one that uses absorbable forms of zinc, such as zinc citrate to maximize effectiveness.
Side Effects and Warnings
Maintaining healthy zinc levels is just as important as making sure you don’t get too much. High-dosage zinc supplements can provide more than you need, which can lead to these possible symptoms:
♦ Loss of appetite
♦ Headaches
♦ Abdominal cramping
♦ Nausea
♦ Vomiting
Because zinc is an important nutrient for immune and digestive system support, maintaining proper levels is essential for healthy immune responses and promoting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
The Bottom Line
Your liver plays several important roles in your body and the health of this large organ contributes to your overall health. It is important to support liver function, with essential nutrients like zinc, so it can regenerate as needed, and effectively process everyday toxins and support healthy metabolic and digestive functions
