Trace elements are found in very small amounts in the body, but play an irreplaceable physiological function. Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the body after iron and has the following physiological functions.
Zinc is a coenzyme of more than 200 enzymes in the human body, and a lack of zinc can lead to abnormalities in the functioning of these enzymes. Therefore, zinc is widely involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids through these enzymes, ensuring normal cell differentiation and proliferation. In addition, zinc is one of the components of gustin, which nourishes and promotes the growth of taste buds.
Stabilisation of cell membranes: Zinc has the function of maintaining normal cell membrane transport, barriers and receptor binding, which can become permeable and more brittle in zinc deficiency.
Regulatory functions: Zinc is important in maintaining the regulation of many physiological functions in the human body. Zinc has a regulatory effect on gene expression by participating in the function of over 2,000 transcription factors; zinc promotes lymphocyte division and cell transformation to maintain immune function; zinc has a regulatory effect on the production, storage and secretion of hormones such as testosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Zinc also reduces the body’s inflammatory response and oxidative stress; it assists the liver in mobilising liver stores of vitamin A into the blood, maintaining normal blood concentrations of vitamin A; zinc also plays an important role in the development, maturation, migration and prominent formation of brain neurons, and also maintains normal nervous system function.