ZINC and VITAMIN C & D

Covid-19, which some countries are seeing a resurgence of, has heightened interest in essential nutrients that can optimise the immune system.

Zinc and vitamins C and D stand out for having a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system and for preserving physical tissue barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes.

Zinc is an essential nutrient our bodies can’t produce or store so it must be obtained in a constant supply through diet. Zinc is critical for the development and function of immune cells, fundamental to skin health and needed for your senses of taste and smell, to name but a few reasons we need enough of it.

Vitamin C affects your immune health in several ways. Its antioxidant activity can decrease inflammation, which may help improve your immune function. Vitamin C also boosts the activity of phagocytes, immune cells that can “swallow” harmful bacteria and other particles. It also keeps your skin healthy by boosting collagen production, helping the skin serve as a functional barrier to keep harmful compounds
from entering your body.

Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times a week is enough to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D for most people – hence, Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin”. It is very hard to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone.

Some research shows that having healthy levels of vitamin D can help keep your immune system healthy and may protect against respiratory illnesses. However, the basic precautions against Covid-19 – masks, social distancing and handwashing/sanitising – remain our best defence. Healthy eating, regular exercise and stress management also play an important role in how our bodies fight illness.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a number of critical roles in your body. This nutrient is especially important for immune system health, leaving many people wondering whether supplementing with vitamin D may help reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Local Health Zinc Plus, Vitamin C and Vitamin D supplements are the perfect addition to your shopping list to ensure your family gets the essential nutrient support its needs during Covid-19.

Nothing should take the place of a healthy, balanced diet, but it is beneficial to use dietary supplements as it is difficult to get all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients our bodies need from food alone.
Dietary supplements are products that contain vitamins, minerals, botanical or herbal ingredients, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and enzymes (complex proteins that speed up biochemical reactions). Supplements come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, powders and liquids.

It is important to use supplements responsibly in order to get the maximum benefit and to remember that supplements are not medicines and cannot cure disease. Pregnant women should supplement with folate on a daily basis to safeguard against birth defects. Folate is a B vitamin needed to produce genetic material, including DNA, and can be found in prenatal vitamins. Added vitamins and minerals are also beneficial to the elderly, especially calcium and Vitamin D, which aid bone strength.

People with food allergies and restricted diets can also benefit from dietary supplements if they are prone to digestive difficulties which may prevent their body from absorbing nutrients properly. Although supplements are available without prescription, there are important reasons you should consult your healthcare provider before starting to take any supplement. Most important to consider is that the supplement could clash with a medication you are taking. Always tell your doctor too which supplements you are on before being treated for a health condition. Some side effects from dietary supplements include upset stomach, bloating, gas and heartburn. Overall, if you take supplements as directed and consult your doctor, the risks are low in comparison to the benefits.

Research a supplement before taking it so that you understand its role in promoting health and how it will benefit you. Speak to your doctor if you experience an issue with a supplement. People take supplements for various reasons apart from maintaining general health, such as supporting their mental health and providing immune system support. Find zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Omega 3, Magnesium, Probiotics and Collagen among the high quality supplements in our Local Health range.

Zinc is the second-most-abundant trace mineral in your body and is present in every cell. Zinc helps boost the immune system and maintain mucous membranes. Low zinc levels can increase the risk of disease and illness. While there is currently no evidence that zinc can prevent or treat Covid-19, some
research suggests that maintaining adequate zinc levels could possibly offer some protection against the disease.

Important to note is that zinc is an essential mineral; in other words it is not naturally found or stored in the body, it has to be acquired through food sources.
In addition to supporting our immune system, zinc supports a number of other functions in the body, including enabling the body to make proteins and DNA.
It also contributes to wound healing, plays a role in childhood growth and development and has trusted antioxidant properties. As such, it can help reduce
oxidative stress. Scientists believe that there is a link between oxidative stress and chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other aspects of
metabolic syndrome.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a higher intake of zinc is necessary, because newborns and babies up to six months obtain zinc through breast milk.
Food sources of zinc include beans, meats, nuts, fish, seafood, whole-grain cereals, dairy products and some fortified foods. Anyone following a plant-based diet may need additional zinc in their daily diet because the zinc available in the foods which will make up their diet is harder for the
body to absorb. A deficiency of zinc can increase the risk of various health problems, including delayed growth in children, loss of appetite, changes in taste, a higher risk of infections, fertility problems, diarrhoea, problems with wound healing and eye and skin lesions. Research suggests that low zinc levels also increase the risk for infectious diseases like malaria, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Always consult your healthcare provider before taking a supplement as supplements could react with prescribed or OTC medication you are using.
Experience the benefits of zinc in our Zinc Plus Local Health supplement.