Zinc: Do You Get Enough?

Zinc: Do You Get Enough?

Zinc is a mineral involved in immune health and wound healing. During periods of growth and development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, zinc plays a role in making molecules found in cells such as proteins and DNA, the genetic material of all cells. How much zinc we need depends on lifestage.

Zinc needs can be reached through eating a variety of foods as well as taking supplements, though some groups of people including vegetarians and vegans, pregnant and breastfeeding people and those with gastrointestinal disorders may have trouble getting adequate zinc.

Food sources of zinc include:

• Fish and seafood

• Poultry and meat

• Legumes such as beans and lentils

• Seeds

• Nuts

Zinc is also available in supplements, including some multivitamins. Talk to your personal practitioner about how best to reach your zinc needs. Take supplements as prescribed by your practitioner.

Reference

National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc Fact Sheet for Consumers. October 2022. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/