I believe this is the shortest title to any column that I have written. The title's size does not take away from the importance of the nutrient, as it may be one of the most under-appreciated nutrients. When I think about zinc, the nutrient magnesium comes to mind because they are both involved in hundreds of metabolic pathways, both are minerals, and many drugs deplete them.

Zinc is the chemical element with the abbreviation Zn and its number 30 on the elements' periodic table. That is a little bit of scientific gibberish, but what you need to know is that zinc is an essential nutrient, meaning our bodies can't produce, so the only way to get it is through our food or by getting it in a dietary supplement. The foods that have the highest concentration of zinc include; oysters, meat, beans and nuts

Why is zinc so crucial to our system? It has many benefits, but some of the most important is its ability to heal and repair tissue, its support of the immune system, and its anti-inflammatory properties.

A zinc deficiency can cause issues in the following areas. Lastly, gentlemen reading this article, zinc is vital for testosterone production, which should grab your attention.

The following prescription and OTC medications deplete this nutrient from our systems:

• PPI's such as omeprazole

• H2 blockers – Ranitidine and famotidine

• NSAID's – Ibuprofen

• Corticosteroids – oral, topical & inhaled

• Birth Control Pills

• Diuretics – furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide

• Anti-Acids

• ACE inhibitors – lisinopril and quinapril

When taking these medications, it is essential to eat foods high in zinc or to obtain zinc by taking a dietary supplement.

One reason you've heard about zinc over the last 6-month is due to its importance in the fight against Covid-19. Taking zinc can stunt the viral replication of Covid-19. Three other action mechanisms include; increased cilia's ability to clear the virus from the airway in the airway, it is essential for preserving tissue barriers and its anti-inflammatory activity. One of the side effects of both Covid-19 and zinc deficiency is the loss of taste and how do we monitor for zinc.

How do I know I'm low on zinc? A blood test is not a great way to measure zinc status, but it is one of the few things we have to determine body levels. An easy way to monitor zinc has the patient either dissolve a lozenge in their mouth or take 1-2 teaspoonfuls of a zinc solution. The patient gauges how the zinc product tastes in their mouth, which gives us an idea of their zinc status. If they have a strong metallic taste, they have sufficient levels. If they taste nothing or the solution tastes like water, they have very little zinc on board, and supplementation is warranted.

What is the best source of zinc? As I stated above, food would be the best way to improve overall zinc status. When food is not an option or doesn't get it to the level we are looking for, supplementation becomes the alternate. Zinc has many dosage forms, capsules, tablets, lozenges, and solutions. Most multivitamins have a small amount in them as well.

Several salt forms of zinc supplementation are commercially available, including acetate, gluconate, picolinate, and sulfate. Zinc picolinate has been promoted as a more absorbable form of zinc, but few data support this idea in humans. Limited work in animals suggests that increased intestinal absorption of zinc picolinate may be offset by increased elimination. Lozenges are great because as your zinc status improves, you will know by the presence of the metallic taste over time. My go to zinc product is called Zinc Pro , a combination of glycinate and arginate salt forms by Nutridyne, 1 capsule has 20mg of zinc.

The benefits of zinc are many, and it is another tool for our fight against infections. Please consider zinc as part of your cough and cold and now Covid-19 fighting products to make you the strongest, healthiest person going into the cold weather months.

Please call the pharmacy @ 701-483-4858 or stop in to have my staff do the simple zinc taste test to check your status. We would be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the right zinc product. Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!