Zinc

Zinc has always been placed at the end of the list of important nutrients required by our body. At the most, it has been mentioned as the nutrient required in small traces to entertain various needs of human body. However, a new face of zinc has been revealed in providing benefits to the patients suffering from diabetes.

It was only recently that zinc has started earning recognition as a useful component for diabetes treatment. First of all, zinc has the antioxidant qualities, which protect the important body cells from damage caused by free radicals. Hence, the possibility of heart attacks in diabetic patients is reduced.

Zinc is one of the important ingredients of the old insulin like Lente and NPH. The production of insulin in pancreas is facilitated by an appropriate dose of zinc for your body. Beta cells of the human body are helpful in boosting the production of insulin in the body. The good news is that zinc has the capability to protect these cells from damage, thereby eliminating the risk of diabetes. Diabetes in human body can worsen the situation by hindering the movement of insulin to carry glucose to different body cells. In such situation, zinc has been confirmed by the researchers to improve the movement of glucose. Hence, the glucose is not accumulated at one place and gets synthesized to release the energy.

The deficiency of zinc in body is mainly caused due to introduction of high blood sugar. This important nutrient is washed away from the body in urine, hampering the secretion of insulin in body. As a result, the blood sugar level keeps on rising, taking type-2 diabetes to an advanced stage. In order to avoid this deficiency, foods rich in zinc must be consumed on regular basis. Beef, turkey, chicken, lobster, salmon, pork and crabmeat are some of the important food sources for zinc. Dairy products, peanuts, beans, potato and yoghurt are also rich in zinc.

Daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)

Infant 3 mg
Children 5-8 mg
Adult men 11 mg
Adult women 8 mg
Additional intake of zinc is recommended for pregnant and lactating moms.