The Case for Zinc

For COVID-19 or just a cold or the flu…

With zinc in the news and part of President Trump’s COVID-19 treatment, it’s good to review why it’s important to take zinc before you ever get sick. Zinc plays an important role in improving communication between cells in the immune system. It also improves your immune response by boosting the activity of macrophage and natural killer cells,” adds Dr. Passler. In short, natural killer cells (NK cells) bind to virus-infected cells and tumor cells to kill them off. Consuming zinc gives these cells a boost, helping them to fight off viruses, as well as other serious illnesses.1

So whether it’s the prevention of COVID-19 or just a cold or the flu, zinc is important for the immune system.

Zinc Controls the Immune System

If the immune system can’t stop a virus from replicating, it goes into overdrive and ramps up inflammation, especially in the lungs. This is what causes viral pneumonia. One of the fierce reactions with Covid-19 is an over-reactive immune response causing severe respiratory infection. A study from Ohio State University shows that zinc “helps control infections by gently tapping the brakes on the immune response in a way that prevents out-of-control inflammation that can be damaging and even deadly.”2

Loss of Taste and Smell

One of the symptoms of zinc deficiency is diminished taste and smell. One of the symptoms for some people with Covid-19 is loss of taste and smell. I have found no studies or information looking at this correlation, but I do find it interesting.

Notes

1 https://aaptiv.com/magazine/flu-season

2 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130207131344.htm

Recipe

Ginger Hopper

Ginger is rich in zinc.

• 5-7 carrots, scrubbed
• 1/2 apple
• 1-2 inch chunk ginger root

Juice all ingredients, stir and enjoy.