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Zinc and Respiratory Infections: A Shield Against the Common Cold

It’s an essential nutrient which helps to boost immunity as well as fight off viruses such as typical colds. It’s also been shown to reduce the signs of atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.

Zinc deficiency can cause many manifestations and signs for example, nausea, diarrhea as well as a decrease in appetite. The most severe symptoms of zinc-related toxicity are anemia, hemolysis in the intravascular area, the icterus, and liver toxicities.

Immune Function

Zinc assists your immune system fight infections, heal damaged tissues and build healthy cells. It also plays a role in repairing DNA as well as cell growth. The body’s metabolism loses zinc in an inflammation response, so it’s crucial to consume enough zinc in your diet.

Zinc deficiency can affect almost every aspect of the inborn immune system. This includes killing of intracellular cells, as well as cytokine production. The dysregulation of cell-level of biologically essential functions caused by zinc deficiency results in an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 responses, as well as the inability of fighting an opportunistic disease.

The use of zinc supplements has been proven to lessen symptoms associated with the common cold and can help in preventing a herpes outbreak. The supplement may also reduce the risk of contracting pneumonia and lower your risk of suffering from heart disease. Zinc supplements are available either by mouth or via injections to treat esophageal as well as colorectal cancer, sickle-cell condition, male infertility, HIV IBD (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) and high blood sugar levels in diabetics or peptic ulcers. They can also treat diarrhea.

Respiratory Health

Zinc is a mineral that’s important to support your respiratory system. There are numerous studies that suggest that zinc reduces symptoms of common colds and could have antiviral activity. Zinc may also help to prevent or delay the onset of respiratory infection that is caused by influenza or rhinovirus (the virus responsible for commonly known colds).

The researchers believe that zinc increases the efficacy of vaccines against influenza and RSV by increasing cell-mediated immunity and T cell response, altering the responses of T cells as well as promoting the activation of T cells that regulate the immune system [4544. Researchers have also shown that zinc can reduce lung damages caused by the polymicrobial sepsis and lipopolysaccharide. This is done through the blocking of inflammatory pathways, such as the NF-kB pathway and neutrophil recruitment.

An insufficient level of zinc is linked to HIV and type 2 diabetes, HIV infected people and sickle-cell diseases. People with bariatric weight-loss surgery or digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease suffer from reduced absorption of zinc through food. Certain drugs, for instance antibiotics such as quinolones or tetracyclines, can also inhibit zinc absorption, due to competition with it for transport across the intestinal wall.

Wound Healing

It is also utilized to improve immune function, and help prevent and treat infections such as pneumonia, the common cold, frequent infection of the ear (otitis) and the flu, and swine influenza. Zinc can be helpful for infants, children, adults, and even slowing down the progression of diabetic ulcers. Zinc helps reduce oxidative stress and enhances the immune system, and enhances wound healing.

An important clinical trial has found that zinc as well as other vitamins can help slow the progress of macular degeneration caused by age, which can cause central vision to diminish. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options that include the vitamins C, zinc beta-carotene and vitamin E and copper.

Zinc supplements generally are accepted by patients. It is important to not exceed the maximum tolerable intake of 40 mg per day as long as you are advised by your doctor. This amount can cause digestive issues as well as alter your taste buds and smell. You should also avoid using zinc in conjunction with the use of laxatives or antacids because they may affect the absorption of zinc.

Skin Disorders

Zinc can help in the prevention and treatment of skin problems. Zinc sulfate lotion has been employed to decrease itching due kidney diseases (dialysis) and to help heal the wounds that result from surgery to correct an top 10 thuoc bo nao cua my abnormal growth on the tailbone (pilonidal surgery). Zinc tablets and ointments can be used to treat diaper rash as well as other skin conditions such as leishmaniasis. If combined with beta-carotene as well as vitamin C, zinc may be used as a treatment to treat age-related macular degeneration. (See for the AREDS1 study.)

Zinc may interact with certain medication. One such medication is the loperamide (an antacid). This medicine can lower the amount of it that is absorbed. Additionally, it can be in contact with corticosteroids and cyclosporine medicines that block your immune system. Deferoxamine (Desferal) and as certain antibiotics such doxycycline and ciprofloxacin can increase zinc loss in the urine. Make sure to consult your physician prior to taking the product in conjunction with any other medication.