Does Zinc Protect You From Covid 19 Or Boost Your Immune System

Does Zinc protect you from Covid or boost your immune system Researchers from Spain found that people with lower blood levels of zinc who were admitted to hospital with Covid tended to fare worse than those with healthier levelsA laboratory study in showed that zinc inhibited the activity and replication of another coronavirus SARSCoV which caused an outbreak in Theoretically sucking zinc lozenges during the early stages of COVID may reduce symptom severity and the duration of the illness but this has not been provenZinc has been shown to reduce the duration of the common coldZinc deficiency is uncommon in North America however certain groups are more at riskZinc supplements should not be taken at too high a dose or for long periods as they can cause toxicityZinc is an essential mineral that our body cannot make itself This means we have to obtain it from our diet or supplements Zinc has many important roles in our body for example zincIs responsible for the activity of more than different enzymes in our bodyIs vital for our immune system function including maintaining the integrity of our skin and for cells mediating immunity such as neutrophils and killer cells Studies have shown people who are deficient in zinc are more susceptible to infectionIs required for protein and DNA synthesisIs important for wound healingSupports normal growth and development during childhood adolescence and pregnancyEnsures the proper functioning of our senses taste and smellWhat evidence is there to support taking zinc for COVIDThere have been hundreds of studies investigating zinc for the common cold The theory is that zinc could inhibit the binding of the cold virus to cells within the nasal mucosa and suppress inflammation Although there have been conflicting results overall zinc appears to be beneficial in certain forms or circumstancesCurrently there are few good quality trials investigating the role that zinc supplementation or low zinc levels have in COVID which means we need to review good quality research that looks at zinc in other conditions as wellA Cochrane review of studies found zinc lozenges at least mgday administered within hours of the onset of symptoms reduced the duration of cold symptoms in healthy people They could not make a recommendation regarding whether zinc supplementation reduced the risk of developing a coldZinc gluconate mg reduced the symptoms of a common cold by more than three days in employees in ClevelandZinc was shown to inhibit the activity and replication of another coronavirus SARSCoV which caused an outbreak in in the laboratoryLow zinc levels were associated with a poorer outcome in people admitted to a hospital in Spain with CovidHow much zinc do I needWe have no specialized zinc storage system in our body which means we must take it every dayThe following are the Recommended Daily Allowances RDAs for elemental zinc as recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board Note that highphytate foods such as grains nuts and legumes can reduce the absorption of minerals such as zincBirth to months mg maximum mgInfants and children months to years mg maximum mg to months mg to yearsChildren to years mg maximum mgChildren to years mg maximum mgTeenagers to years girls mg maximum mgTeenagers to years boys mg maximum mgAdults women mg maximum mgAdults men mg maximum mgPregnant teenagers mg maximum mgPregnant women mg maximum mgBreastfeeding teenagers mg maximum mgBreastfeeding women mg maximum mgWhat foods contain zincZinc is present in a wide variety of foods but it is important to remember that phytates the major storage form of phosphorous can bind zinc and inhibit its absorption Phytates are found in wholegrain bread cereals and legumes This means that zinc contained in grains and plants is not as well absorbed as zinc found in seafood and meatVegetarians should note that foods such as garlic and onions may increase the absorption of zinc from plant foodsExamples of foods that are high in zinc and the amount of zinc they contain includeOysters ounces mgBeef roast ounces mgCrab ounces mgBeef patty ounces mgLobster ounces mgBaked beans cup mgFortified breakfast cereal serving mgPumpkin seeds ounce mgYogurt ounces mgCheese swiss ounce mgOatmeal serving mgPeas cup mgRelated questions What are the best zincrich foods to eat What are antioxidants and should you take supplements Can you have Covid without a fever What are the signs of zinc deficiencyZinc deficiency may causeDelayed sexual maturationDelayed wound healingEye and skin lesionsGrowth delaysHair lossHypogonadism in males or erectile dysfunctionImpaired immune functio