Nutrients; Part 1, “Zinc” by Dr. Donaldson

I’ve been in the alternative medicine world for over 15 years and I am always astounded by what nutrients can do for what ails us.

For example, you need Zinc for your immune system to work properly. Zinc has a role in:

cell division and cell growth
wound healing
breakdown of carbohydrates to glucose for energy
sense of smell and taste
enhances the action of insulin
kills infections when it sits on the cilia in your nose
helps testosterone release
regulates gene expression
nerve impulse transmission
gene directed cell death
needed for a normal pregnancy
over 300 enzymes depend on zinc to help them work
the structure and function of cell membranes

Taking more than 65mg of elemental iron a day may decrease zinc absorption. High levels of calcium may impair zinc absorption. Bio availability of folate and Vitamin A is increased by a zinc dependent enzyme. Animal proteins are good sources of Zinc. Zinc is also found in nuts, whole grains, yeast in legumes although its bio-availability is higher in the animal proteins. Vegans and vegetarians should supplement with Zinc.

If your Zinc is too low, you may not feel well. You may get a cold. It may be a Zinc deficiency, not a vaccine deficiency! The scientific literature claims Zinc deficiency is rare. However, I get a Zinc level on every one of my patients and can tell you at least 10% of new patients coming into my practice have a Zinc deficiency and I am seeing it more and more often. So, it is as not as rare as the scientific literature claims. Zinc deficiency is missed because most traditional physicians do not test for Zinc levels.

As medical doctors we are not taught to think first of what nutrient deficiencies may be causing common patient complaints and symptoms. We were definitely not taught to check nutrient levels! I remember an older MD during internship we used to joke about because to him every disease was caused by a folate deficiency. He was the only attending MD that talked about nutrient deficiency causing disease. And we thought he was crazy!

Nutrition should have been the most important class we could have taken as medical students. And yet, we had 6 hours of nutrition taught by an obese nurse. Of course we didn’t listen! Vaccines and anti-depressants were far more scientific and up-to-date. What did an old obese nurse and crazy Md know?

Please take steps to steer your health and wellness in the right direction by asking for Zinc levels to be check often. We welcome patients who take charge of their health and wellness. And our lab scripts include Zinc level tests. Call our office to schedule a consultation and start on a pathway of balance; mind, body and spirit with Regenerative Medicine Center and Dr. Valerie Donaldson. (412) 767- 9890