4 Reasons Zinc is great at fighting Acne
There are
more than two hundred enzymes in the human body
that have zinc as a component. It plays a vital role in
enzymatic reactions, more so than any other mineral.
While zinc
deficiency is extremely rare in developed
countries, many people in the United States do exhibit a
borderline zinc deficiency because they do not get enough of
the mineral in their diet.
The Recommended
Daily Allowance (RDA) of zinc is 15
milligrams for men and 12 milligrams for women. There is a
wide variety of foods that contain zinc with fresh oysters
topping the list.
Other foods
that contain zinc include pumpkin seeds,
gingerroot, pecans, split peas (dry), Brazil nuts, whole
wheat, rye, oats, peanuts, almonds, walnuts and potatoes.
These foods
vary in their zinc content from 148.7
milligrams per serving (oysters) to 0.9 milligrams per
serving (potatoes). Also, it should be noted that in this
case a serving is 3 ½ ounces or 100 grams.
Whether you
get your zinc from fresh foods (recommended)
or from a supplement, one thing is true: it is good for
your body and for your skin. In the instance of acne,
these four truths apply:
1. Zinc
helps regulate the levels of certain hormones.
Zinc helps
to keep hormones such as testosterone
regulated. This is particularly crucial during the early
teen years when hormone production is increased and zinc
levels, particularly in 13 and 14 year old boys, is extremely low.
Many researchers
attribute the low production of zinc and
the high production of hormones to be responsible for the
high occurrence of acne in this age group.
2. Zinc
helps with wound healing.
It is a necessary
factor in the body's synthesis of
protein and cell growth. This means that is has a key roll
in wound healing. Additionally, zinc has been shown to
decrease healing time for wounds.
A zinc deficiency,
on the other hand, leads to the healing
of the wound being prolonged. Doctors often advise patients
to increase their intake of zinc to aid protein
synthesis and cellular growth after trauma such as burns,
surgery and wounds.
3. Zinc
helps with the body's immune response.
Because zinc
works on the regeneration of cells in the
body, it helps to keep the body strong and resistant to
bacteria and viruses.
This is the
reason that doctors recommend that you take
zinc supplements when you are ill. Acne is simply a
bacterial infection of the skin so zinc helps to fight that
bacteria so that your skin will be clearer.
4. Zinc
helps with the body's tissue regeneration.
If you have
a wound or a lesion, zinc will help it heal
faster. Acne is a sort of skin lesion, so zinc can help it
heal because it works with the protein in your body to
speed healing and encourage cellular growth.
This means
that your cells are regenerating and growing,
repairing the damaged tissue.
Zinc can
not only help prevent acne, but heal it as well.
This is particularly true if you are eating a balanced,
healthy diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
and incorporates the zinc rich foods.
The best
way to fight acne is from within. Put good things
into your body and you will see results that will please you.
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