Zinc To The Rescue |
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Zinc is a lead player in body immune system. Deficient in zinc, you will be much more susceptible to a number of diseases and conditions. Zinc’s role in immune system health includes regulating genes within a variety of immune system cells such as the lymphocytes and leukocytes (The body's disease-fighting colorless and white blood cells.) Zinc enables the proper development and function of other immune system cells, including the natural killer cells and neutrophils.
Deficiencies in zinc are related to improper functioning of the macrophage, an important immune system cell that engulfs and kills threatening organisms. Deficiency in zinc can cause all types of immune system cell's function decrease, and body susceptibility to a number of disease. Even a mild deficiency can produce an imbalance in the immune system's function.
Even if you are not initially deficient in zinc, if you are under prolonged stress, your immune system is compromised. Supplementation with zinc can enhance the working of your immune system, offering protection from stress-induced damage. The good news is damage done to the immune cells due to low levels of zinc can be reversed with zinc supplementation.
There has been some concern about the safety of taking zinc in high doses. high zinc doses can cause anemia, growth retardation, and a depressed immune system, negative immunological effects.
High-dose supplementation with zinc over short stressful periods of time is safe, but you should use caution when taking it over the long term.
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