Zinc: The Ultimate Warrior
When the body produces energy to run our incredible machine using nutrient minerals like magnesium, glucose is converted into ATP which is found in all forms of life and is often referred to as the molecular unit of currency for energy transfer.
However, for every molecule of glucose that is metabolized to generate ATP, its byproducts of metabolism produce Co2.
Carbon dioxide cannot just be dumped into the blood, so it is converted into a lesser acid called carbonic acid by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase that resides in the kidneys and the lungs.
For this important process to happen, carbonic anhydrase needs zinc because we are constantly breaking down glucose through the day like a machine.
Zinc is the fuel needed to break down lactic to pyruvic acid in both the muscles and the liver also, so it has various functions in the human body.
A high-sugar diet epidemic can cause a proliferation of excessive streptococcal/enterococcus species and produce excessive amounts of lactic acid affecting your liver, brain, and muscles.
This typically results in constipation because lactic acid has a paralyzing effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines.
Think how a zinc deficiency can magnify this unpleasant scenario!
The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase is also dependent on zinc because it is our body's defense against the toxic effects of alcohol.
Additionally, it is required for mental and brain function in the synthesis of serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
It turns up many times in the steroidal hormone pathway which is why a zinc deficiency is associated with infertility and many other sexual problems.
It is important to prevent the body from becoming estrogen dominant for various health reasons, and zinc will prevent the unnecessary conversion of androgens to estrogens which is seen in our estrogen-dominant population.
With the country's many histamine-related allergy problems, one could safely bet it is associated with zinc abnormalities, which is why you see zinc in the natural remedies for colds and allergies.
This is the short list of the importance of zinc—the mineral with so many important functions in human physiology and needs to be put on a pedestal as the five-star general that it is.
Zinc will always be your body's guard and natural health insurance policy.
When figuring out if you have a zinc deficiency, I take into consideration the anti-nutrient concept and zinc's antagonistic relationship to excessive amounts of cadmium, mercury, and copper.
These metals are notorious for hiding, and unfortunately one will never know the true levels of these metals unless a biopsy of every organ is done in the body which is not feasible.
The only available test to check these levels is a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA).
So when zinc looks like it is in a normal range on an HTMA, one must dig a little deeper to understanding the antagonistic relationship of these nutrient minerals.
HTMA gives us the best understanding of the biochemical relationships between minerals in the body while providing a comprehensive understanding of how toxic metals are deeply layered in the body's tissues, organs, and glands affecting one’s all-around physiology.
Many of the signs and symptoms of a zinc deficiency can manifest as:
Skin and hair problems
Lung issues
Brain problems
Sexual dysfunction
Immune deficiencies
Chronic stress and anxiety
Problems with pregnancy and breastfeeding
Blood pressure
So, I just wanted to reiterate the importance of zinc when looking at the dynamics of minerals, the true sparks of life.
Zinc is the ultimate warrior that helps protect your body allowing you to live a healthy and happy life.
Contact me to start your custom health plan using HTMA to check for deficiencies and toxicities correlating with your health problems and you will experience first-hand the true beauty of mineral rebalancing.