Zinc: The Secret Weapon Against Viral Infections

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient that is often taken for granted because most are unaware of the many vital roles it plays in maintaining health and in preventing disease. Zinc is such an important nutrient for immune health that Dr. Zelenko included it in many of his formulations including Z-Stack, Kids Z-Stack, Z-Flu and Z-Dtox.

Zn is one of the most abundant trace elements in the body, coming in second to Iron.1 It exists in every cell with greatest concentrations found in the brain, muscles, eyes, bones, kidneys, and prostate.2 Zn contributes to a myriad of functions with key roles in cell signaling and enzyme activity serving as a cofactor for more than 300 biochemical reactions.3 When levels become disrupted, a wide range of detrimental effects can manifest including illness and disease. Below are examples of some of the key roles that Zn plays in the body:

Uses of Zinc (Zn2+) in The Body1,2,3:

Proper function of immune, nerve, and digestive systems
Prostate and Liver health
Growth of reproductive organs
Proper function of Vitamin A, B1, B12, and E
Wound healing, tissue repair and bone formation
Enzyme function
Protein formation including collagen
Insulin regulation
Enhances taste and smell
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory activity

Zinc: An Antiviral Powerhouse

Zn is critical to the health and maintenance of the immune system with demonstrated antiviral activity to a variety of infectious viruses like the common cold, Influenza/flu, Hepatitis C, RSV, COVID, HIV, Marburg, and the herpes simplex virus. Its antiviral capacity is met primarily through its ability to inhibit viral replication and activity within hijacked cells and minimize the symptoms that accompany an infection. 4,5,6

Unfortunately, Zn deficiency (serum levels below 70 mcg/dL in women and 74 mcg/dL in men) is a common issue worldwide, afflicting about 2.2 billion people specifically in the less developed countries with the key factor being poor dietary intake.7,8 This means that close to 30% of the world’s population is at significant risk of developing a preventable and possibly deadly viral infection.

Common Signs of Zinc Deficiency9:

Hair loss
Skin and nail changes
Diarrhea
Increased infections
Irritability
Poor appetite
Weight Loss
Eye problems
Slow wound healing
Impotence

Maintaining Poper Zinc Levels is Necessary for Health

Given the significant role Zn plays is in our overall health and its capacity to prevent viral infections, it is crucial that people take active steps towards assuring they are maintaining proper levels either through effective dietary intake or supplementation.

Some effective dietary sources can be found below:

Common Dietary Sources of Zinc7,10,11:

Dairy
Meats including beef, lamb, pork, poultry and fish
Egg Yolks
Kelp
Oysters
Legumes
Mushrooms
Whole Grains
Soybeans
Sunflower, Hemp, Poppy, and Pumpkin seeds
Herbs: Alfalfa, chamomile, cayenne, dandelion, fennel seed, milk thistle, parsley, sage, rose hips, hops, oregano, thyme, basil, mustard, dill

Although daily intake of Zn through diet is optimal, it isn’t always possible for some to meet their needs through food. This is especially true for the many people with poor eating habits and those eating diets high in processed foods with poor nutrient content.

Fortunately, Dr. Zelenko recognized the significant role that Zn played in health and viral disease as he vehemently fought to protect patients from developing COVID. Through that work he developed a line of supplements fortified with enough Zn to provide people with a way to restore and maintain proper levels of this vital nutrient.

Consider The following supplements which have been specially formulated to boost levels of available Zn in the body and help maintain health and reduce risks of developing a wide array of disorders and diseases. By supplementing daily with one of Dr. Zelenko’s powerful formulas below, you can help to restore peace of mind that your body is able to take on viral invaders

Z-Stack: All-in-one immune boosting super formula

Ingredients: Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Quercetin

Z-FLU: Potent anti-viral and immune boosting formula

Ingredients: Zinc, Elderberry, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Quercetin

Z-DTOX: Detoxifying and immune boosting formula

Ingredients: Zinc, NAC, EGCG, Vitamin C, Vitamin D

References:

1. Hashimoto, A., Itsumura, N., Kambe, T., & Tsuji, T. (2015, July 1). The Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Roles of Zinc Transporters in Zinc Homeostasis and Metabolism. Physiological Reviews, 95(3): 749-784. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00035.2014

2. Zinc. (n.d.) Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc

3. Aizenman, E., Gale, J. R., Liu, H. Y., Reynolds, I. J., & Weiss, J. H. (2021, May), Biomedicines. 9(5): 489. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9050489

4. Ahlenstiel, C., Ahlenstiel, G., Obeid, S., & Read, S. A. (2019, July 1). The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Advances in Nutrition, 10(4): 696-710. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz013

5. Marreiro, D., & et al. (2022, April 28). Antiviral and Immunological Activity of Zinc and Possible Role in COVID-19. British Journal of Nutrition, 127(8): 1172-1179. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114521002099

6. Bick, M. J., & et al. (2007, March). Inhibition of Filovirus Replication by the Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein. Journal of Virology, 81(5): 2391-2400. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01601-06

7. Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. (2022, September 28). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

8. Prasad, A. S. (2012, June). Discovery of human zinc deficiency: 50 years later. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 26(2): 66-69. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.04.004

9. Zinc Deficiency. (2023, June). Health Direct. Retrieved from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/zinc-deficiency

10. Balch, P. A. (2023). Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 6th Edition. Avery.

11. Allen, M. (2020, December 11). Sunny Botanist. Retrieved from: https://www.sunnybotanist.com/herbs-high-in-zinc/