Eggs contain a moderate amount of zinc and can help you meet your daily target. For example, one large egg contains 4.8% of the DV for men and 6.6% of the DV for women ( 29 ).
This means that an adult woman would need to eat 12 large eggs per day to get an adequate amount of the mineral if she isn't pregnant. If pregnant or breastfeeding, she'd need to consume 17 to 18 and a half eggs to get enough zinc. A man would also have to consume 18 and a half large eggs each day.
Egg is rich in phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and contains moderate amounts of sodium (142 mg per 100 g of whole egg) (Table 3). It also contains all essential trace elements including copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and zinc (Table 3), with egg yolk being the major contributor to iron and zinc supply.
The best source of zinc is oysters, but it's also plentiful in red meat and poultry. Other good sources are beans, nuts, crab, lobster, whole grains, breakfast cereals, and dairy products.
Eggs. One large hard-boiled egg contains 0.53 milligrams of zinc (4.8% RDA for men, 6.6% RDA for women). Eggs are a complete protein, meaning they provide all nine essential amino acids — none of which your body can produce on its own, so you have to get them through food.
Although bananas are rich in carbohydrate, fiber, protein, fat, and vitamins A, C, and B6 they are largely deficient of iron (Fe), iodine, and zinc (Zn).
Zinc deficiency can happen in people who have problems absorbing nutrients, for example, older people and those who have some gut diseases. Some medicines can also increase the loss of zinc through urine.
Because zinc deficiency can lead to appetite changes, unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of zinc deficiency. This can also lead to mood changes, irritability, or depression.
High zinc fruits include avocados, blackberries, pomegranates, raspberries, guavas, cantaloupes, apricots, peaches, kiwifruit, and blueberries. These fruits provide 2-12% of the daily value per cup.
While the jury is still out on which came first, eggs also contain zinc — about 0.6 mg per large egg, per the USDA — so crack one open today to help optimize your levels of the nutrient.
As research from Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute points out, the zinc in foods like oysters, red meat and eggs is more bioavailable, meaning that your body can more readily absorb and use it. This is because animal proteins improve zinc absorption.
Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn and rice, has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption from composite meals. Inositol hexaphosphates and pentaphosphates are the phytate forms that exert these negative effects, whereas the lower phosphates have no or little effect on zinc absorption.
Zinc is best absorbed when taken with a meal that contains protein. The best sources of zinc are oysters (richest source), red meats, poultry, cheese (ricotta, Swiss, gouda), shrimp, crab, and other shellfish.
Recommended Amounts. RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19+ years is 11 mg a day for men and 8 mg for women.
Zinc deficiency at any age can cause a loss of taste and smell. In older adults, zinc deficiency can delay wound healing and cause problems with thinking, reasoning, and memory. In lower-income countries, zinc deficiency during pregnancy can cause premature births and other complications.
How to test for zinc. Have the patient “hold two teaspoonfuls (10 mL) of liquid Zinc Test (approx. 5 mgs of zinc sulfate) in the mouth for at least 10 seconds. A lack of taste or a delayed taste perception in the mouth may indicate a possible zinc insufficiency.
This particular study concluded that in males, zinc has a positive effect on arousal and maintaining an erection. A 2013 study shows that sense of smell may actually be important to libido, especially in younger men. That means that zinc deficiency, which can reduce sense of smell, may also reduce libido.
Amino acids, such as histidine and methionine, and other low-molecular-weight ions, such as EDTA and organic acids (e.g., citrate), are known to have a positive effect on zinc absorption and have been used for zinc supplements.
People who drink excessive alcohol can also not absorb zinc normally. Long-term illnesses, such as chronic liver or kidney disease can also result in low absorption of zinc. High-dose iron supplements can also affect the way zinc is absorbed, leading to deficiency.
There is a lot of evidence linking zinc to blood clotting. Zinc is released from cells called platelets that control blood clotting, and scientists have found unwanted blood clots can form when zinc levels in the blood are faulty.
Apples are full of healthy antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. One medium sized apple contains 95 calories and 4.4 g of dietary fiber. In addition, an apple is a good source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron and zinc.
Blueberries contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K. Each of these is a component of bone. Adequate intake of these minerals and vitamins contributes to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.