Zinc
Zinc is a transition metal element[1], and has a atomic weight of 65.5[2].
Zinc is considered an essential trace element, deficiency in the element can cause slow growth and healing[3]. It is also used to treat disease such as osteoporosis and wilson's disease[3].
The abundance of zinc in humans is 33000 ppb, which means an average person weighing 70 kilograms would have only 2.31g of zinc[4].
Zinc has multiple functions and is vital in several processes in the body including:
- maintenance of healthy bones, hair, nails, skin and vision
- health of our reproductive system and healthy fertility
- maintain our immune system, where it is used to help prevent the chance of infection
- required for the metabolism of Vitamin A
- helps metabolise carbohydrates so they can be converted into energy[5]
References
- ↑ http://www.zinc.org/basics/zinc_properties
- ↑ http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/zn.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/982.html
- ↑ http://www.webelements.com/zinc/biology.html
- ↑ https://www.justvitamins.co.uk/Minerals/Zinc-10mg.aspx?bclid=true&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search%20Product%20Specific&utm_term=10%20mg%20zinc&utm_content=Zinc%2010mg#.WedfexQ2PjA