MICROgenics^® Zinc Formula

Zinc functions

Zinc is an essential trace element vital for the activity of about 300 enzymes in the body. It is essential for collagen formation and connective tissue metabolism and repair and has potent antioxidant activity as zinc-superoxide dismutase (Zn-SOD) that helps scavenge damaging free radicals. Zinc helps make thyroid hormones and mobilises vitamin A from body stores as required. It speeds up chemical reactions, regulates cell activities, helps metabolise proteins, fats and carbohydrates, switches on genes, stimulates immune responses, and helps induce ‘suicide’ (apoptosis) of abnormal or infected cells, an important protective function.

Zinc deficiency was first identified in the Middle East where unleavened bread is a staple food. In this bread, zinc is bound by phytic acid and cannot be absorbed. Common effects of zinc deficiency in this region are short stature in adolescents, impaired male sexual development at puberty, reduced immunity, skin rashes, diarrhoea, poor wound healing, poor or distorted sense of taste and a habit of eating clay.¹

• Supports wound healing and skin, hair, nail and joint health²
  Zinc is important for cell replication and protein metabolism and helps form structural proteins in the hair, skin, nails and connective tissue in joints. It works with vitamin A to maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes in the body.
• Supports immune defence³
  Zinc helps produce antibodies and activates T-lymphocytes, important for an effective immune response. In zinc deficiency, monocyte and T cell function is impaired, cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and phagocytosis of neutrophils is reduced, and B cells undergo apoptosis.
• Maintains reproductive health⁴
  Zinc plays a role in ovulation, fertilisation and a healthy pregnancy. It is needed for male and female sex hormone metabolism, helps develop male sex organs at puberty, and maintains healthy sperm, testes and the prostate gland.

Magnesium functions⁵

• Magnesium works with zinc as a co-factor for more than 300 enzyme systems and has important roles in bone metabolism, immunity, hormone receptor binding, calcium channel blocking, transport of ions across cell membranes, muscle contraction, tone of blood vessels, cardiac excitability, nerve cell activity, and neurotransmitter release.

Manganese functions⁶

• Manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) is the main antioxidant enzyme system in cell mitochondria and is a cofactor for glycosyltransferase enzymes that make the connective tissue proteoglycans in skin, cartilage and bone.

Molybdenum functions⁷

• Molybdenum is a cofactor for enzymes involved in production of uric acid, which is part of the antioxidant network in the bloodstream, as well as breakdown of alcohol, drugs and toxins, and metabolism of methionine and cysteine.

Supporting nutrients and herbs

• Chromium supports carbohydrate metabolism and insulin function.
• Copper has antioxidant activity, maintains connective tissue health, and supports iron metabolism and immune function.
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supports immunity and health of connective tissue.
• Vitamin B6 maintains protein metabolism and tissue growth and repair.
• Carotenoids have potent antioxidant activity.
• Pau D’arco bark is a herb that has antimicrobial and immune-enhancing activity.
• Burdock root is a herb used as a blood cleanser and to maintain healthy skin.

References

• Prasad AS, Miale A, Farid Z, Sandstead HH, Schulert AR. Zinc metabolism in patients with the syndrome of iron deficiency anemia, hypogonadism, and dwarfism. J Lab Clin Med 1963;61:537­49.
• Lansdown AB, Mirastschijski U, Stubbs N, Scanlon E, Agren MS. Zinc in wound healing: theoretical, experimental, and clinical aspects. Wound Repair Regen. 2007 Jan-Feb;15(1):2-16.
• Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells. Mol Med. 2008 May-Jun;14(5-6):353-7.
• Favier AE. The role of zinc in reproduction. Hormonal mechanisms. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1992 Jan-Mar;32:363-82.
• Fawcett WJ, Haxby EJ, Male DA. Magnesium: physiology and pharmacology. Br J Anaesth. 1999 Aug;83(2):302-20.
• Oregon State University. Linus Pauling Institute. Manganese. Available at http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/manganese/.
• Oregon State University. Linus Pauling Institute. Molybdenum. Available at http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/molybdenum/