Zinc is necessary for the functioning of more than 300 different enzymes and plays a vital role in a large number of biological processes. Zinc is a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and is in a number of enzymatic reactions involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
Its immune-enhancing activities include regulation of T lymphocytes, CD4 cells, natural killer cells, and interleukin-2. In addition, it has been claimed that zinc possesses antiviral activity. Zinc is necessary for the maturation of sperm and normal fetal development. It is involved in sensory perception (taste, smell, and vision) and controls the release of stored vitamin A from the liver. In the endocrine system, zinc has been shown to regulate insulin activity and promote the conversion thyroid hormones thyroxine to triiodothyronine. Helps prevent stunted growth, depressed immune function, hair loss, eye and skin issues, delayed wound healing, and changes in taste.
