Zinc plays a very important role in human health. The American "Food Science and Food Safety Comprehensive Report" magazine published a latest review study by the American Institute of Food Technology, which summarized the specific health effects of eight zinc elements.

1. Protect your brain. Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that proteins need to maintain the correct form in the body to function smoothly. Zinc plays a crucial role in maintaining protein form.

Lack of zinc will cause proteins to become abnormal proteins. Instead of functioning as they should, abnormal proteins will aggregate and lead to diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

2． Protect your heart. Research has found that zinc enhances cardiovascular system health. Zinc is responsible for regulating arterial blood pressure. People with zinc deficiency are more likely to develop high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease. In addition, the antioxidant effect of zinc helps stabilize various biofilms. Low zinc can cause changes in biofilm stability and aggravate myocardial damage.

3. Liver protection. Research has found that zinc deficiency increases the risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and other chronic liver diseases. However, the British "Lancet" magazine published a study completed by Dr. James Phillips, a professor of pathology at the University of Toronto in Canada and an expert at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, which found that excessive zinc in the body can also increase the risk of severe chronic liver disease.

4. Assisted pregnancy. Studies have found that even mild zinc deficiency during pregnancy can lead to dire consequences, such as increased maternal morbidity, abnormal taste, prolonged pregnancy, difficult delivery, flaccid bleeding, and increased fetal risks. A 2013 World Health Organization report pointed out that zinc deficiency in pregnant women impairs normal fetal development.

5. Control sugar. The latest research from the University of Michigan in the United States found that zinc can effectively control type 2 diabetes. In patients with type 2 diabetes, a protein called amylin forms aggregates that block insulin-producing cells and affect blood sugar control. The trace element zinc can prevent this negative effect of amylin protein, thereby stabilizing blood sugar levels.

6． Enhance immune function. Studies have found that zinc deficiency is very common in elderly patients. Zinc deficiency can cause thymus atrophy, reduce thymus hormones and activity, thereby reducing vaccine response and subsequently reducing immunity.

A study published in the American "Cochrane Library" magazine from Pakistan's Aga Khan University found that zinc supplementation can enhance children's immunity and relieve symptoms of infections such as diarrhea.

7. Accelerates wound healing. A new study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that zinc supplementation can make wounds heal faster and also plays a very important role in the treatment of early gastric ulcers. Oral zinc sulfate can increase the healing speed of surgical wounds by 3 to 4 times.

8． Shorten pneumonia treatment time. The "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" published a study by Johns Hopkins University in the United States and found that the trace element zinc plays a very important role in shortening the course of severe childhood pneumonia and reducing the time of hospitalization.

A report from the Mayo Clinic pointed out that the recommended daily amounts of zinc for adult men and women are 11 mg and 8 mg respectively, and for lactating women, the recommended daily amounts are 12 mg. High-protein (especially animal protein) foods are the main source of zinc.

Extended information:

Zinc is an essential trace element for the human body to enhance immunity and prevent diseases. Since it is not easily stored by the body, it must be replenished every day. American health guidelines advise that women should supplement 8 mg of zinc every day. The American "Health" article recommends the following 5 common zinc-rich foods.

Beef. Braised beef contains 7 milligrams of zinc per 3 ounces (approximately 85 grams). Beef is also rich in protein (one serving of beef can meet half of the day's protein requirements), as well as vitamin B12, which is good for nerve health. Braised beef or braised beef are good choices, but too much red meat can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other diseases. You only need to eat it once a week.

Cashew nuts. 1 ounce (approximately 28 grams) of cashews contains 1.6 mg of zinc. Cashews also contain healthy fats, folate, B vitamins, and vitamin K. Unsalted cashews are a very healthy snack and can also be added to stir-fries or salads.

Chicken. 3 ounces of cooked chicken contains 2.4 mg of zinc. Chicken is an important food source of vitamin B6, which is beneficial to normal brain function. Curry chicken and yogurt are a good nutritional combination.

Kidney beans. Half a cup (about 100 grams) of cooked kidney beans contains 0.9 mg of zinc.

Kidney beans also contain soluble and insoluble fiber, which not only benefits digestive health but also prevents blood sugar spikes. Red kidney beans are cooked and added with olive oil and some cumin, making them a great snack for weight loss.

Almonds. 1 ounce of almonds contains 0.9 mg of zinc. Almonds are also rich in magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E, which help protect eyes and enhance immunity. Eating a handful of almonds in the afternoon can both fight hunger and prevent overeating at dinner.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency in children:

1. Loss of appetite: picky eaters, anorexia, refusal to eat, generally reduced food intake, children have no sense of hunger and do not take the initiative to eat;

2. Eat strange and strange things. For example: biting nails, clothing, chewing toys, hard objects, eating hair, paper scraps, uncooked rice, wall dust, soil, sand and gravel, etc.;

3. Slow growth and development, and height is lower than that of the same age group 3-6 cm, light weight 2-3 kg;

4. Low immunity, frequent colds and fevers, repeated respiratory infections such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sweating, night sweats during sleep, etc.;< /p>

5. White spots appear on fingernails, and geographic tongue appears on fingernails (there are irregular red and white patterns on the surface of the tongue);

6. Hyperactivity, slow reaction, and inattention Poor concentration and learning ability;

7. Vision problems: reduced vision, which can easily lead to difficulty in night vision, myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism, etc.;

8. Skin damage: when trauma occurs, Wounds are not easy to heal; prone to dermatitis and stubborn eczema;

9. Retarded sexual development in adolescence, such as: male genitals, testicles and penis are too small, low testosterone content, and low sexual function; female breast development and menstruation Menstruation is late; pubic hair appears late in both men and women.

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