Zinc

Zinc is a type of mineral which cannot be produced or stored by the body. Nevertheless, it’s essential for several bodily functions, so must be sourced through our diet.

As zinc is present in a lot of food products which are unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, it might be necessary for you to take a supplement instead. If you’re older and need to support your immune system, additional zinc could also be of benefit.

Despite not being created by the body, zinc is present in almost every single one of our cells! It controls over 300 different enzymes which all have a different role to play within the body.

Zinc has numerous amazing benefits for the body, including:

1. Helping it process carbohydrates, fats and proteins gained through food.
2. .Contributing to maintenance of normal bone health in your body.
3. Supporting the immune system
4. Ensuring healthy and normal skin, hair and nails.
5. Maintaining good eye health by supporting normal vision. 
6. Supporting cell growth and development by playing a role in protein production and DNA synthesis.

As well as zinc supplements – and multivitamins containing zinc – which come in a variety of dosages and forms to suit you, there’s also plenty of nutritious foods rich in this essential mineral.

While a large proportion of zinc foods tend to be meat, fish or dairy, there are numerous delicious options suitable for vegans, too! These include:

• Beans
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Quinoa
• Tofu
• Linseed
• Chia seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Cashew nuts
• Walnuts

As vegetarians and vegans are thought to receive 50% less zinc from their food than meat or fish eaters, you may need to take zinc supplements to make up the shortfall. In the UK, it’s recommended that adult males get 9.5mg of zinc per day, while adult females need around 7mg.

As with any supplement, make sure you read the dosage instructions carefully. Too much zinc can have a negative impact on your health, namely because some studies show that it can limit the amount of copper that’s able to be absorbed by the body. Copper is important as it can play a part in transporting iron around your body.

You’ll find we stock this magnificent mineral in a range of forms, from zinc tablets to chewable zinc and zinc effervescent tablets. Shop our full selection below and then check out our grains, nuts and seeds ranges for foods which are especially rich in zinc.