Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell in your body. It stimulates the activity of over 100 enzymes. Zinc is one of few minerals that a significant number of people are slightly deficient. Zinc deficiency is particularly common in infants, adolescents, the elderly and women. Certain drugs and nutrients can inhibit the absorption of, or increase the excretion of Zinc.

Zinc plays an important role in wound healing, brain function, growth and development. Zinc also plays an important role in our immune system. In fact, even moderate deficiencies of Zinc can have an adverse effect on your immune system. Because zinc plays a role in the development and activation of T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection a severe deficiency of zinc will depress the immune system and leave you at higher risk of infection.

There could be a variety of reasons why someone could be deficient in zinc. Your diet may not include enough foods that provide a good level of zinc. Food sources high in zinc include oysters, herring, beef, lamb, liver, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, bran and cheese. Another cause of zinc deficiency is caffeine, as it impacts your bodys ability to absorb and utilize zinc properly.

An often overlooked cause of zinc deficiency is the medications you take. Both prescription and over the counter medicines impact the absorption, distribution, or excretion of many different essential nutrients. Some of the drugs that have an impact on zinc include ace inhibitors, which are used for high blood pressure, such as Altace, Accupril, Lisnopril, or Lotrel. Other drugs that are used for high blood pressure such as diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can have a negative impact on your bodys zinc status. Hormone replacement therapy has also shown to have an adverse effect on your zinc levels as well as simple over the counter products like antacids.

Since your prescription medicine for your blood pressure is a critical part of your overall cardiovascular health, you should never consider discontinuing any of your prescription medications without first consulting your physician. An easier solution is to find a good pharmaceutical grade zinc supplement to be sure your body doesnt suffer the consequences of zinc deficiency due to your medication choices. Since the average patient is on 3 different blood pressure medications, you should be aware of the nutritional impact any of them could be having on your body. It is important to select a supplement that would replenish your body of all essential nutrients and may even provide extra nutrients that have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health in patients that have high blood pressure.

Don Ford, M.D.

C. Donald Ford, MD, Diplomate of the American Board Internal Medicine. Dr. Ford has practiced general internal medicine for the past 22 years. He is a native Texan and trained at Baylor University, the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Scott and White in Temple. He is a Clinical Assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to general Internal Medicine, his practice includes travel medicine, vascular disease prevention, and Integrative Medicine with nutrients. He has been interested in the body?s ability to heal itself since medical school, and has used nutrients throughout his career to help patients use less prescription medication, or avoid it altogether.While he sees the tremendous value prescription medications can provide, he is also aware of the value and place for nutrients.