Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in immune system health, wound healing, and DNA repair. Zinc deficiency may even play a role in cancer development. Zinc supplementation can be beneficial in treating mouth sores that can be a side effect of cancer treatment, enhancing the sense of smell/taste, improving bone density, and helping fight infections such as the common cold.

Zinc in Food

Zinc is found in a wide variety of foods. While oysters have the highest concentration of zinc, red meat and chicken are key sources in the American diet. Other foods rich in zinc include legumes, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, and fortified-foods such as breakfast cereals.

Zinc from animal sources is absorbed better than the zinc from plant sources because phytates found in plant sources decrease zinc absorption.

Deficiency

You can ask your healthcare provider to check for a zinc deficiency. If your zinc levels are low, supplementation with elemental zinc is important to protect many body functions. Discuss optimal zinc supplementation with your integrative provider or oncologist. Some medications, such as some antacids, anti-seizure medicines, diuretics, and anti-inflammatory medications can decrease zinc levels.

Warnings

Long-term zinc supplementation over 2 months at higher doses of > 50 mg per day can lead to copper deficiency. Copper is also an essential mineral for the body, and many zinc formulations have a small amount of added copper for this reason. Lab tests can help monitor zinc and copper levels.

Nasal zinc sprays are not recommended because they can lead to a loss of the sense of smell.