Zinc is an integral component of the body’s physiological well-being. It aids in numerous processes and metabolic pathways. Zinc promotes the body’s immune system function and helps to combat infections and helps with acute inflammatory reactions in the body. By assisting in the maintenance of the epithelial lining of the lungs and gastrointestinal tract, zinc helps to preserve the membrane barriers and connecting proteins which forms an integral part of the body’s immune system.
It may also help sustain healthy prostate function and health as well as healthy blood sugar level regulation and even possibly hypothyroidism. Zinc is one of the required minerals needed for cell growth and optimal wound healing. An additional health benefit of zinc is that it helps prevent the formation of free radicals.
Sfera Bio Nutrition Zinc Complex uses The Real Amino Acid Chelate System known as TRAACS®. This system contains copper, selenium and other chelated minerals which might reduce gastric discomfort commonly associated with the use of zinc supplements.
Ingredients
One vegetarian capsule provides:
-
Zinc Bisglycinate Chelate 150mg
(providing 15mg elemental Zinc)
- Copper Bisglycinate Chelate 10mg
(providing 1mg elemental Copper)
- Selenium Glycinate Complex 10mg
(providing 100 µg elemental Selenium)
- Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (Pumpkin Seed Extract 4:1) [seed] 330mg
- Other ingredients: Vegetarian capsule shell.
- This product is suitable for Vegan and Vegetarians.
Directions
Take one capsule per day after a meal.
Guidelines for use:
Take zinc an hour before or two hours after a meal. If it causes stomach upset, have it with low-fiber food. If you are taking iron supplements for a specific condition, do not take them at the same time as zinc. Take zinc at least two hours after taking antibiotics.
How It Works
Zinc is a component of the enzymes involved in most major metabolic pathways, therefore essential for human life. Large amounts of zinc are deposited in bone and muscle, but unfortunately these are not easily available to the rest of the body. The human body’s pool of accessible zinc is small and susceptible to rapid turnover, so deficiency signs appear quickly.
Sfera Zinc Complex assists with the maintenance of immune function and good health, providing antioxidants that assist with the maintenance of healthy skin.
Immunity:
Many nutrients are involved in making sure the immune system functions properly.
Zinc has been shown to be essential for proper T-cell development. T-cells and T-lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core of adaptive immunity – the system tailors the body’s immune response to specific pathogens.
Zinc may also be essential to B-cell function (lymphocytes). B-cells are a type of white blood cell whose principal function is to secrete antibodies. Acute zinc deficiency causes an overall reduction in B-cell numbers.
In normal physiological conditions, cells will produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of metabolic function. Additionally, there are also external stresses such as radiation from the sun, pollution, smoke, etc. All these produce ROS which can damage cellular structures and may lead to the development of some chronic diseases. Zinc is the co-factor with Cu/Zn (super-oxide dismutase) enzyme complex. This enzyme complex catalysis the detoxification of superoxide radicals to less harmful oxygen and hydrogen peroxide which the body can then eliminate through other enzyme systems.
In some viral and bacterial infections, zinc supplementation is used as treatment and assists to reduce the severity of symptoms and aids in recover from the infection.
Wound Healing:
Zinc is critical in maintaining the epithelial layers and to maintain the membrane barriers and connecting proteins. Externally, the epidermis and dermal layers provide a defense function and zinc is essential to the maintenance and repair of these layers.
In addition to protecting against ROS, zinc is an essential cofactor in enzyme systems that remove dead tissue and movement of keratinocytes involved in would healing.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is a health condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone (T4), causing a reduction in an individual’s metabolic rate.
Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, unexplained weight gain, dry skin, hair loss or coarse hair, muscle cramps, depression, and slow thought processes.
Deficiencies in key nutrients the body needs to support the thyroid gland feedback loop, plays an important role. Most common nutrient depletions are: Selenium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Iron, Thiamine and Magnesium.
The following minerals play roles in the steps involved in the thyroid gland feedback loop and therefore help to maintain proper thyroid function: Iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and boron.
The role of Zinc: Zinc may be the most versatile nutrient with regards to thyroid function. Zinc has been shown to stimulate the hypothalamus to form thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) which in turn stimulates the anterior pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
The release of TSH causes the thyroid to increase production of thyroxine (T4). Zinc is needed for the conversion to much more active triiodo-thyronine (T3). Zinc is responsible for maintaining proper serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH.
The role of Selenium: The thyroid gland contains more selenium per gram of tissue than any other body component. Selenium is a key component of the iodothyronine deiodinases. Deiodinases are involved in removing an iodine atom from T4 to form T3. In addition, selenium is important for the protection of the thyroid gland.
The role of Copper: A copper deficiency renders the hypothalamus incapable of regulating thyroid gland activity.
Prostrate Health:
The most commonly occurring disorders of the prostate include prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP).
Zinc concentration in a prostate gland is much higher than in any other human tissue. Zinc has been reported to interfere with the conversion of testosterone to DHT, thereby, preventing prostate enlargement. Zinc and selenium appear to play a definite role in the maintenance of a healthy prostate gland. Additionally, selenium and zinc have roles related to apoptosis rates in normal and cancerous cells.
Warning
Orally Zinc can cause:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
- In overdose, zinc can cause watery diarrhea, irritation and corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract, acute renal tubular necrosis.
- Flu-like and central nervous system (CNS) symptoms including fever, coughing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric pain, lethargy, fatigue, and neuropathy.
Orally Selenium can cause:
- Symptoms of acute toxicity including nausea, vomiting, nail changes, fatigue, irritability, and weight loss.
- At doses above the UL of 400 mcg per day for adults, hair and nail brittleness and loss occur.
- Chronic toxicity resembles arsenic toxicity, which symptoms including hair loss, white horizontal streaking on fingernails.
Orally Copper can cause:
- Gastrointestinal side effects including abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.