The Zinc Link - Could your levels be low?

The white blood cells need folic acids, Vitamin B12 and Zinc  (to name a few) to do battle effectively.  Zinc is needed for well over 100 enzyme reaction.

We also need zinc to make HCL (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach and important enzymes like carbonic anhydrase. Having these enzymatic reaction functioning properly has far reaching effects ranging from pain reduction, proper digestion to reducing depression.

Associated Conditions with low zinc:

• Decreased taste and sense of smell
• decreased immunity
• free radical damage / oxidation
• low libido
• low sperm counts
• tooth decay
• poor adrenal function / stress response
• depression, anxiety
• low thyroid activity
• poor fetal growth
• poor hair growth
• poor wound healing
• easily broken nails / white spots on nails.

To find out if your zinc is low, you can ask your health care practioner to do an easy Zinc Tally or Sufficiency Test. This test involves swishing 10ml of a zinc sulphate solution in your mouth for 20 seconds, if the solutions tastes like water this indicates that you are zinc deficient.  You will know your levels are up when you re-take the test and the solution has a strong metallic taste.

To replete your zinc levels a liquid zinc sulphate solution is recommended until you start tasting the solution and then you can continue to use a zinc capsule. Absorption of zinc is decreased by fiber and food, as it competes with binding sites with calcium and magnesium. Best to be taken on an empty stomach or with a small amount of food.

Food Sources of zinc include: crimini mushrooms, spinach, pumpkin seeds and asparagus.

Detox your Diet: Cancer Prevention and Diet Tips

1. Get regular check-ups
• Many cancers can be prevented/discovered in the early stages with screening tests available through your healthcare provider

2. Go Vegetarian
• Eat more vegetables (especially tomatoes and coniferous vegetables); fruits, whole grains, and legumes to help optimize body weight, immune function, hormone regulation, and avoid meat-related carcinogens, all of which may influence cancer risk

3. Focus on Fiber
• Eat foods rich in fiber, especially those made with whole grains, to help reduce the risk of several cancer

4. Find healthy fats
• More meals containing olive oil or fish, help protect against cancer, and avoiding fat from meat, dairy, and processed foods, may decrease cancer risk

5. Avoid alcohol
• Use alcohol beverages in moderation or not at all to reduce the risk of many cancers

Health Benefits of Antioxidant intake:
• Antioxidants help protect against free radical damage and help boost the immune system
• Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that are created in the body during normal metabolic functions or introduced from the environment
• Free radicals interfere with the cells’ ability to function normally and are believed to play a role in more than 60 different health conditions, including heart disease and cancer
• Antioxidants stop free radicals from forming & minimize the damage caused by free radicals
• Thus, increasing the intake of antioxidant nutrients has the potential to reduce the risk of free radical-related health problems
• Antioxidant nutrients include:
- Vitamins: A, C, E, and B-vitamins
- Minerals: Selenium & Zinc