Zinc deficiency is of epidemic proportion in the United States, especially among senior citizens. Signs of zinc deficiency are easy to recognize such as fatigue, vision loss, low immunity, inflammation, and loss of ability to taste and smell. So, adding some zinc to the diet will aid the ability to recognize offensive tastes and odors!
Adding some zinc will also aid the immune system to produce “killer” T-cells, which is good news for people battling cancer or are looking for ways to prevent cancer. Zinc also aids the reduction of autoimmune responses and inflammation. Zinc fights the incidence of inflection and reduces occurrences of colds and respiratory infections like pneumonia and influenza. Those who struggle with high risk of infections in the winter time may consider adding more zinc to the diet. On top of all of this, adding zinc will aid cognitive processes, visual perception, and cardiovascular wellness.
Some foods high in zinc include:
- Alfalfa
- Black-eyed peas
- Brazil nuts
- Parsley
- Pumpkin seeds
Zinc levels can be hindered by intake of caffeine. When adding supplemental zinc, be sure not to exceed dosage above 50 mg for an extended period of time as copper balance may be upset.
For more information on zinc, go to www.lef.org.
DIY Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent
Why pay premium price for natural automatic dish-washing detergent when you can easily make some of your own:
- 1-1/2 cups citric acid (found in a health food store or online at vitacost.com)
- 1-1/2 cups washing soda, like Arm & Hammer
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup coarse kosher salt
Mix ingredients and store in an airtight container. Use one tablespoon per load. To prevent clumping, add a moisture-absorbing packet.
GIVE ME GIVE
Five diseases reduced by good dental care:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Pneumonia
- Stroke
Needed the reminder on making sure I have enough zinc in my diet . . . ohhh, love black eye peas which are naturally high in zinc . . .that’s great! Appreciate your articles!!