Zinc is a chemical element which is one of the body’s vital trace elements. Since zinc cannot be stored by our body, a regular supply is particularly important. In healthy people, the daily requirement of zinc can be normally met from a good balanced diet. Good sources of zinc are most meats, eggs, oysters, oat meal, cashew and Brazil nuts as well as lentils and peas.
One vital role of zinc is for eye health: a chronic zinc deficiency may lead to night blindness. In addition, zinc is vital for many other processes in our body including cell division and cell repair processes. As a free radical scavenger, zinc prevents aggressive chemical compounds from damaging body cells. We need zinc to keep our skin and mucous membranes healthy and it’s essential for our immune system. So our No.1 tip … make sure you eat plenty of sources of zinc on your weekly meal plan, especially during the flu season.
