We have been talking about how it is important for our well-being and our immune health to follow the Boy Scout motto be prepared. When it comes to stress and immune health it is important to be proactive not reactive. So far in this series, we have looked at the minerals, magnesium and selenium and how each when maintained at optimum levels play a central role in our immune health. Zinc is a third immune boosting mineral. Pub med.gov an online catalog of scientific literature has over 5400 articles detailing the beneficial actions of zinc on our immune system. Mild zinc deficiencies can result in weakening the immune system such as impairing our virus fighting natural killer (NK)cells , Poor insulin action as well as reduce the effectiveness of vitamin D. For zinc to be effective it needs to be inside the cell. Zinc deficiency causes skin lesions, hair loss, immune dysfunction, taste issues and in infants growth retardation. While muscles and bones act as reservoirs for zinc, we cannot store more than we need and therefore must get our zinc daily to maintain our health.
What causes deficiencies? Either we do not eat enough, or our medications are using it up or preventing its absorption. Common meds which reduce zinc absorption are Motrin, prednisone, some antacids, birth control pills, blood pressure medicines called ace inhibitors, diuretics and H2 blocking ulcer medications.
why can’t we get zinc from our diet? Zinc can be found in oysters, ……. Sometimes even our foods are low in zinc because the soil is zinc poor and sometimes pesticides (Roundup – gycophosphate) are sprayed to prepare the wheat for harvest and thus severely reduces the zinc available in our grain products. Much of zinc’s activity is inside the cell and to get in there it needs a zinc transporter or an ionophore. Naturally occurring zinc transporters are quercetin and EGCG. Quercetin is a flavonoid and antioxidant that is found in foods such as tomatoes berries broccoli. EGCG is found in green tea fruits and nuts. Some studies have shown that zinc supplementation plus a zinc ionophore can effectively block viral replication including polio influenza and the coronavirus in cell cultures. Remember reports of a recent VA study which cast doubts on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine? It even hinted at more COVID-19 deaths remembered as a VA study a population which is notorious for both its poor health and it’s poor care given that so many healthy people are zinc deficient I would suspect that while the veterans were well fed they were poorly nourished and were deficient in zinc. Giving a depleted person hydroxychloroquine would be like giving a fireman a hose but no water to fight the fire. He has the tool but no substrate. As that study is reviewed, if it is ever reviewed, I suspect that will be one of its signature deficiencies. Also remember we have discussed that if someone is zinc deficient, their vitamin D function is also likely deficient. So, they would have the double whammy of low D and zinc resulting in a severely depleted immune system.
What can you do? Avoid GMO and non-organic foods especially grains that may be contaminated by Roundup. Be aware if your medications are on the list that deplete zinc. A reference website, Mytavin.com that links your medications to potential nutrient deficiencies. In these stressful times boost your diet with quercetin and EGCG green tea and for a short time especially if you’re under stress for 1 to 2 months supplement with 75 to 100 mg of zinc daily then reducing to 40 mg daily to maintain and provide your body with the zinc resources it needs. Remember that zinc transporters like Quercetin and EGCG can be found on leafy greens, broccoli, green tea, and nuts and can help zinc to get where it is needed. Other parting advice only watch enough news to determine if you need to wear a raincoat on your daily walk. A sign that you have been watching too much news is if you started to keep the count of Dr. Brexits scarves. If so, push the off button and get outside support your body in the stressful time, give it the tools not just to survive but to thrive!
