Zinc is a well-known mineral that is supplemented to help patients with everything from skin health, blood circulation and the immune function. Diabetics also use zinc to stabilise blood sugar levels as well as in the treatment of an array of ailments.

Most recently, zinc has been linked to research on easing the symptoms of the coronavirus. Now, to be clear, it certainly isn’t a cure; but it is believed to offer relief to some patients, which definitely makes it worth looking into.

COVID-19 link to zinc

Everyone wants to know how zinc can help with coronavirus after an email by virologist and pathologist, James Robb, went viral. As the story goes, he emailed his family in late February, advising them to stock up on zinc supplements.  

CNet reports that his recommendation is likely rooted in scientific studies that suggest zinc supplements can help treat symptoms of the common cold.

Zinc is a nutrient. It helps your immune system to fight off infection, so it makes sense that the supplement will help fight the flu-like symptoms of COVID-19. Zinc also aids the body in making protein and DNA. Zinc is particularly important for infant and childhood development.

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Essentially, studies until now show that zinc can be helpful in warding off symptoms caused by rhinoviruses. However, that doesn’t mean that zinc is effective against COVID-19. 

The CNet site continues that even though we have no definitive answers, it is possible that zinc could affect the RNA replication of the novel coronavirus in the same way.

Sources of zinc

Zinc is often supplemented in tablet form and used on the skin in topical ointments, but it is also easy to absorb it from many types of foods.

When it comes to supplements, there are different types of zinc supplement products. The most common over-the-counter forms of zinc, zinc gluconate is often used in cold remedies, such as lozenges and nasal sprays, explains Healthline.

Zinc citrate is as well-absorbed as zinc gluconate but just tastes better (less bitter).

Zinc acetate is also added to lozenges to speed up recovery, but Zzinc sulphate helps people who have a zinc deficiency. If you think you may have a zinc deficiency; you should get medical intervention and have a professional guide your next steps. Zinc picolinate is apparently easier to absorb, and zinc orotate is bound to orotic acid and is one of the most common types of zinc supplements on the market.

Signs of zinc deficiency are hair loss, erectile dysfunction; poor wound healing and mental lethargy. People also complain of diarrhoea or constipation and other gastric distress.

The National Institute of Health has declared oysters ‘the best source of zinc’. Red meat, beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy are abundant sources of zinc.

The recommended daily allowances for zinc are 11 mg a day for men aged 19 and up, and 8 mg for women 19 and over. Pregnant and lactating women need up to 12 mg.

Other benefits of Zinc

Zinc has been linked to brain health and the body’s ability to heal.

Style Craze says that zinc plays a key role in your body’s immunity to bacteria and fungi, alongside its antiviral potential.

Studies using both young adults and the elderly show that zinc supplementation decreased oxidative stress. It has also proved to halt the generation of inflammatory cytokines. Zinc deficiency weakens the immune system in both humans and animals, increasing a person’s susceptibility to colds and infections.

It has also been used to successfully treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even depression. 

Zinc also plays an important role in neuroprotection (such as protecting brain cells), promoting healing processes in the brain and nervous system, and modulating the body’s response to stress. Actually, the highest amount of zinc in our bodies is found in our hippocampus.

Zinc supplementation was also found to enhance learning and memory. Obese patients who are treated with zinc supplements had improved body mass indices, loss in weight, and even showed improvements in triglyceride levels. As an antioxidant mineral, studies have shown that zinc can protect the heart muscles against oxidative stress that might otherwise harm the heart in the end.

An overdose of zinc is dangerous!

It is possible that one can have adverse effects from having too much zinc in the body! The old adage ‘too much of a good thing is bad’ applies here; many who have fallen victim to zinc overdoses have reported the same gastric distress as experienced by those with a zinc deficiency. Nausea, diarrhoea and intense cramps are all common overdose symptoms.