Wellness Blog
How Zinc Supports Hair Health?
Discover how zinc plays a vital role in maintaining strong, vibrant hair. Learn about zinc-rich foods, deficiency signs, and its connection to hair health and loss.
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Feeling Tired and Losing Hair? Here’s Why These Symptoms Might Be Connected
If you've been feeling low on energy and noticing more hair shedding than usual, you're not alone.
Learn moreFive Health Benefits of Zinc
What are the benefits of zinc and how does it help support our skin and overall health? Here's everything you need to know.
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The surprising benefits of zinc for skin
Zinc is a mineral that can help keep the skin healthy. It is one of 16 essential minerals in our body and is involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions to help our cells function.Seeing as our bodies do not produce zinc naturally, it is important to understand its sources and benefits.Zinc skin benefitsZinc is considered an essential nutrient that helps maintain and support the formation and health of collagen, a major component of our skin. It helps in healing minor body tissue injuries and wound healing, as well as supports skin repair, healing, or regeneration.Here are the top benefits of zinc for skin:Improves wrinkles and fine linesAs we age, our skin loses elasticity and begins to sag. Natural oils and fat deposits in the inner skin layers decrease, causing wrinkles and fine lines to form.One of the most popular zinc skin benefits is based on its anti-ageing properties. Studies (1) show that eight weeks of topical zinc therapy resulted in elastic fibre regeneration in the top layer of the skin. This resulted in a marked improvement in wrinkles and fine lines. This is because zinc has photoprotective properties, which means it can help reduce skin damage caused by sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays.Speeds up wound healingOther zinc skin benefits include skin repair and healing after an injury. If you are not consuming enough zinc from your diet, you could present with cracked skin (2).Doctors may prescribe zinc supplements for those with wounds that develop between the knee and ankle. According to healthdirect.gov.au, around 1% of Australians suffer from this (3). Since these wounds are located far from the heart, they may take a longer time to heal as it is difficult for veins in the legs to carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. There is evidence suggesting that these wounds may heal faster with the help of mineral and vitamin supplements, including zinc (3).Helps with skin repairIf you have keloids, or noticeable scars from an injury or surgery, you may want to look into topical zinc-based options to complement other treatment modalities for better skin health.It is believed that topical zinc can stimulate collagenase. Collagenase is an enzyme that breaks down collagen in damaged tissue and supports tissue growth (1). It can support skin repair and regeneration, demonstrating the many benefits of zinc for various underlying skin conditions. Zinc for skin: Where can I get zinc?Fortunately, several foods contain zinc. Oysters are a good source of this trace mineral, containing more zinc per serving than any other food (5). Red meat, fish, poultry, and even cereals and dairy are rich in zinc (5). There are also several forms of zinc supplements to choose from, including zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, and zinc sulphate.How much zinc do I need for good skin health?It is recommended that male and female adults consume 14mg and 8mg of zinc per day (6).Zinc intake for vegetariansIt can be difficult for vegetarians to meet the recommended daily zinc intake from food alone. It is estimated that vegetarians require approximately 50% more of the recommended daily zinc intake than non-vegetarians (6). This is because the amount of zinc absorbed by the body is affected by the amount of protein in our diet. In the case of vegetarians, usual protein sources like grains and beans contain phytates, a compound that blocks zinc absorption.Zinc intake for those with pre-existing conditionsThose with pre-existing conditions can be more vulnerable to zinc deficiency (4). These health conditions also can decrease the amount of zinc absorbed by the body and increase the amount that passes through the kidneys (4).What happens if I do not get enough zinc?While zinc can be found naturally in several foods, it is not uncommon for people to suffer from zinc deficiency.Zinc deficiency results in visible skin changes, demonstrating the importance of zinc for skin. Rashes and cracks can appear on the skin around the mouth and hands, resisting moisturisers, steroid creams (anti-inflammatory cream), and lotions.If you are in any of the aforementioned at-risk groups, or believe that you may not be getting enough zinc from dietary intake, it may be worth considering supplements. Zinc supplements can plug gaps in your diet, maximise the effects of positive lifestyle choices, and provide targeted support.You know what else goes well with a healthy lifestyle? Supplements and vitamins. You're in luck as you can build your own vitamin pack with Vitable to get the most out of that exercise regime and healthy diet! Once you've put together the best combination of supplements tailor made for you, we'll have these custom vitamin packs delivered right to you. And that's how you construct custom vitamins in Australia. Learn more about other areas that zinc can help you with, plus other supplements that can benefit in different ways:Zinc | Iron | Astaxanthin | B complex | Vitamin C | Cranberry | Collagen | Biotin*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.References:1. National Institutes of Health. (2014). Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/ Accessed August 01, 20212. Healthdirect. Zinc and your health. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/zinc Accessed August 01, 20213. Better Health. Leg ulcers. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/leg-ulcers Accessed August 01, 20214. Healthdirect. Zinc Deficiency. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/zinc-deficiency Accessed August 01, 20215. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/ Accessed August 01, 20216. Nutrient Reference Values. Zinc. https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/zinc Accessed August 01, 2021
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Zinc Supplements for Hair Strength
Our hair can play an important part in our lives as it protects the scalp from harmful sun exposure and heat. Some common factors that may cause it to change over time are hormonal changes, overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, chemical processes (ie. dye), and aging (1).
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What are trace minerals like Iodine and Zinc, and why are they important?
Learn about the benefits, types, and food sources of trace minerals like iron, zinc, iodine and selenium. Discover how to meet your needs for optimal health and well-being.
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