A little more of this mineral can do wonders for your health

If you’ve had it with coming down with every single cold or infection that’s going around, there’s one tiny thing you can do to jumpstart your body’s own defenses.

And while this “micronutrient” is easy enough to find, close to 40 percent of seniors in the U.S. are deficient in it, making them more susceptible to a whole host of conditions and illnesses way beyond even the flu.

Now, a new study has discovered that just a tiny increase in it may be enough to benefit almost every aspect of your health.

Beyond colds

You probably think of zinc as something to take when you get sick.

But zinc is much more than just a lozenge to pop if you get the sniffles. Keeping your zinc levels up to par can have health benefits way beyond shortening the course of a cold or the flu.

But here’s the thing: You only require a very small amount. That’s why it’s called a micronutrient!

Despite that, a whole lot of us aren’t even getting enough trace quantities of it, especially seniors.

Now, a new study from the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute has found that all it takes is a measly extra four milligrams of dietary zinc a day to help repair DNA, reduce levels of oxidative stress, and slash inflammation.

And that means you’ll steer clear of infections and even some killer diseases.

Take DNA repair, for example. Your body’s ability to fix damaged DNA is what protects your cells from turning cancerous. And as for inflammation, that is now thought to be the trigger for numerous conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s to heart disease to arthritis.

Even the Oakland researchers said that they were surprised to see how this small amount of zinc can have such a “significant impact” throughout the entire body.

But if you’re wondering why so many people are coming up short, one answer may be right in your medicine cabinet. Numerous meds, both Rx and OTC, can drain us of zinc. Some include antacids containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, steroids such as prednisone, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ulcer medications and birth control pills.

And that’s just the short list!

On top of that, we’re being shortchanged by the food we eat as well.

Conventional farming practices have managed to deplete the soil to such an extent that fruits and veggies have actually become less nutritious than they were only a few decades past. One big study done 13 years ago tested over 40 fruits and vegetables, finding large declines in a whole host of vitamins and minerals.

Despite that, there are still plenty of ways to make sure you’re doing everything necessary to keep your zinc levels going strong.

For example:

• Switch to grass-fed beef. While conventionally raised beef does provide zinc, the amounts from grass-fed cows are substantially higher.
• Enjoy shellfish more often. If you happen to love oysters, just two of them will provide you with around 11 milligrams of zinc! Shrimp and other shellfish also rank high in the mineral as well.
• Have some pumpkin seeds as a snack, or sprinkle some sesame seeds on a chicken or stir-fry dish.
• Stack up on veggie sides. Add shiitake or crimini (also called “baby bella”) mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus to your main course. They’re easy to prepare and found on most restaurant dinner menus.

If you feel it’s necessary for you to take a zinc supplement, however, don’t overdo it. The recommended dose is around 15 to 25 milligrams a day.

And don’t wash it down with a caffeinated drink, as caffeine can reduce your absorption rate of zinc by up to 50 percent.

“Modest increase in dietary zinc reduces oxidative stress and damage to DNA, study shows” Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, January 3, 2017, Medical Life Sciences, news-medical.net