o one can deny the importance of beautiful appearance. Such beauty can be gained by many ways; sometimes when trying to reach the ideals of beauty people take the most extreme measures such as plastic surgery. But nowadays it is vital to be not only beautiful but healthy as well. Long, shiny hair that do not split, fresh-looking skin without acne and other imperfections, healthy firm nails that do not chip and split are considered to be the indicators of natural beauty which is of the highest value today.
Unfortunately, everyday stress, bad habits such as smoking, unhealthy and irregular nutrition and environmental influences can impair the appearance and health. Many of these factors may cause Zinc deficiency that could lead not only to poor skin, hair and nails condition as the result of incorrect metabolism and hormone functioning but also could lead to many other health problems including problems with immune and reproductive systems.

The element got its name in 1516 when it was renamed from "Paracelsus" into "Zinc". But it was known long before the XVI century. One of the first documented evidences of the zinc use for medical purposes dates to 2000 BC when zinc salts were used as antivirus and antibacterial medication. Further evidence of zinc use can be found in documents from ancient India where zinc metal was very popular and its production was a common thing. There are evidences that zinc mine sites existed in 1000-1300 BC in Zawarmaala. Later in 300 BC wide use of zinc in medicine was documented in Charaka Samhita and in 800 AD the Rasaratna Samuccaya explained the existence of two types of zinc, one of which could be used in medicine and the other was perfect for metal production.
Nowadays zinc use for improving human health is studied by many scientists. Yet, there are many enigmas in this mineral, but still no one can underestimate the role of Zinc in human life.

Why is Zinc important?
Zinc is a fundamental mineral that can be found in almost every cell of the human body. It is an integer part of over 200 enzymes. This mineral is of prior importance for sense of smell, taste and eyesight.
Zinc is responsible for many body functions. It regulates the immune system by helping cells to kill the viruses, microbes and other harmful organisms including malignant (cancer) cells, regulates proper action of hormones among which are insulin that is responsible for blood sugar control, growth hormone responsible for normal organ development, sex hormones that influence proper fetal and reproductive development and many others. Zinc plays important role in metabolism and digestion as well as in normal prostate functioning.
Zinc deficiency is believed to be the main reason for poor nail condition such as deformed nails, hangnails, inflamed cuticles or white spots in the nail plate. A few studies show that zinc citrate supplements can help to get rid of nail abnormalities.
Besides this Zinc represented in the form of citrate is widely used for fighting acne, pneumonia, diarrhea and other infections. It also reduces the duration and severity of a common cold, enhances wound healing and decrease inflammation.

What are the benefits of Zinc?
Many people are unaware about Zinc and Zinc citrate benefits. Most of the positive effects of the mineral are predetermined by its natural functions related to immune system, skin, hear and nails, hormones, metabolism and digestion, prostate and reproductive organs as well as hear, smell and sight organs.
Most common benefits of Zinc that are insured by the medical test are the following:
" Help in maintaining and restoring the health of hair and nails as well as healing skin wounds and skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Zinc plays a fundamental role in collagen formation and healthy tissue development. In conjunction with antioxidants Zinc shows a pronounced anti-aging effect.
" Support of proper fetal and reproductive organs development and functioning. Zinc proved to be essential for the prostate gland and other reproductive organs. Notable improvements in sex life caused by improvement of sexual function as the result of healthy prostate function are observed in many cases.
" Colds severity and length reduction. When taken at the beginning of cold Zinc shows to be effective in relieving the symptoms. It fights sore throat, coughing, running nose and headaches caused by viruses. If taken for a relatively long period of time, it may improve overall immunity and further frequency of colds and risk of infections. Zinc is also thought to be effective for treating herpes virus as it interferes with the ability of the virus to replicate itself.
" Slowing the progression of macular degeneration which causes vision loss especially in the elderly people. The results of the tests also showed that long-term Zinc intake may reduce the risk of macular degeneration later in life.

Who is at risk of Zinc deficiency?
There are multiple factors that influence Zinc levels reduction in human body. Among these factors are stress, diarrhea, diabetes, liver disease, kidney and liver diseases and high rate of alcohol consumption. It is also a well know fact that the mineral is lost via perspiration that is why athletes, those who do a lot of sport and those who live in hot climatic zones or regularly visits saunas or steam rooms are at risk. Zinc levels can also be reduced by some medications among which are oral contraceptives, ulcer medications, some antibiotics, antiviral medication and some diuretics. Among other factors that might influence the amount of Zinc intake are poor soil levels of the mineral and food processing techniques.

Why to take supplements?
Despite the fact that Zinc presents in virtually every body cell, the body does not produce zinc on its own. Zinc is not absorbed when consumed with fiber, phytane (found in grains and legumes) as it is destroyed during food preparation, hard water, calcium, copper and iron are also useless due to the inability of Zinc absorption.
To enhance Zinc absorption it is frequently used in the form of oxide or gluconate, but it is Zinc Citrate that proved to be highly effective as it is easily absorbed. Zinc citrate is produced by combining zinc and citrate which is a derivate from citric acid that represents a colorless crystalline organic compound of carboxylic acid family. It is found in all plants (mostly in citrus plants) and in many animal tissues and fluids. In biochemistry, it is involved in important metabolism of almost all living things. Citric acid works as an antioxidant and cleaning agent in nature.

ZINC PLUS CAPSULES for healthy skin, hair and nails Capsules contain mineral Zn and vitamins of B complex group to buy ZINC here

Each capsule contains: 5 mg Zinc, 1,4 mg B1, 1,6 mg B2, 2,0 mg B6, 1 mkg B12, 150 mkg Biotin, 200 mcg Folic Acid, 18 mg Niacin, 6 mg Pantothenic acid. Packing: 2x20 capsules Dosage: 1 capsule a day

Often Zinc citrate is mixed with vitamins to enhance not only Zinc but also vitamin absorption. "ZINC PLUS" capsules contain Zinc citrate and vitamin B in order to provide the body with the vitamin and the mineral that are of extreme importance for the health of skin, hair and nails.

Zinc and acne treatment
Millions of people all over the world suffer from skin imperfections, mostly acne, which is characterized by pimples, inflammations, blackheads, and whiteheads. Though the problem is not life threatening, it can perform certain inconveniencies related (in some cases) to lower self-estimation or a negative self-image.
Such problem is rarely caused be untidiness. Stress, unhealthy or irregular nutrition, environmental toxins, genetics, hormonal imbalance and some medications are the most frequent causes of acne.
The most common factor for acne to appear is change in hormonal state which might occur due to increase of male hormones or progesterone and thus cause acne in adolescence and premenstrual. The extra hormones lead to increased production of oil that blocks the pores. The inflammation is an immune reaction to the bacteria getting stuck in the oil. Toxin excretion via skin can become an acne cause. When the organs are filled with toxins the skin tries to sweat them out. Toxins in sweat irritate the tissues resulting in inflammation and acne.
It must be admitted that many studies have shown people with lower zinc level in their bodies to be more likely to be subjected to acne and thus zinc deficiency is considered to be one of the key factors of acne.
To fight acne most physicians recommend to take Zinc orally which compensate for the Zinc deficiency, reduce inflammations and prevent bacteria replication in the skin oil.

Zinc and Biotin for nails health
Studies conducted by numerous researchers reveled biotin (vitamin B) to be a natural element which can make nails thicker, harder and firmer while Zinc prevents nails deformation, cuticles inflammation and white spots in the nail plate, it also can be helpful in treating yellow nails syndrome

Zinc and prostate cancer prevention and treatment
The researches all over the world dedicate a lot of time studying the role of Zinc in prostate abnormalities. It is commonly assumed that Zinc is effective element able to prevent and in some cases cure prostate abnormalities. Such effect of Zinc is explained by the role this mineral plays in the normal development of reproductive organs development. The assumption of Zinc positive effect on prostate is proved by numerous tests.

Dosage and duration of treatment course
Zinc does not have any side effects in most cases unless personal intolerance which can be indicated by diarrhea or metallic taste. These symptoms are not life-threatening but it strongly recommended advising your physician before starting to take Zinc capsules or if having any of the side-effects listed above.
The United States government has issued recommendations regarding maximum daily doze for zinc which poses no risks to most people. Mostly maximum dozes are not recommended unless serious health problems related to Zinc deficiency.
The following maximum dozes are set:
" Infants 0-6 months - 4 mg
" Toddlers 7-12 months - 5 mg
" Young Children 1 to 3 years - 7 mg
" Children 4 to 8 years - 12 mg
" Children 9 to 13 years - 23 mg
" Teenagers 14 to 18 years - 34 mg
" Adults over 19 years - 40 mg
" Pregnant or nursing women - 40 mg (34 mg if 18 years old or younger)
As a rule average adult human needs 5 mg of Zinc for prevention of Zinc deficiency and improvements in the state of skin, hair and nails as well as for prevention of prostate cancer.
Remember that these are recommendations and advise your physician on the doze for you.
There are also some interactions between zinc and certain medications to be taken in consideration.

Interactions with other medications
Just like any other element Zinc has some specifics regarding interaction with other medications. Despite the fact that Zinc is a natural, well-tolerated mineral and has great number of positive effects it is strongly recommended to advice a physician or health adviser prior to starting to take Zinc citrate.
The following feature of Zinc interactions with other medications should be admitted:
" An extra doze of Zinc may be needed to those who take oral contraceptives or medications that reduce stomach acid
" Separation of zinc doses and the medications that contain manganese; calcium; iron; antacids; soy or Penicillamine, some antibiotics of tetracycline families is advisable. The separation should be at least two hours as Zinc interferes with those medications absorption . Also extra doses of magnesium and copper may be needed.
" It is not recommended to take Zinc together with Amiloride unless advised by a physician.

By Eugenia Arrow

References
1. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc (2001). Available at www.nap.edu.
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13. Roger Blowey. Preventing and treating lameness.