Sink without Zinc

by Herbalist Wendy Wilson

One thing you don’t want to be without especially during the cold and flu months is zinc. Most people know that zinc is important for your immune system. Zinc is also important for healthy nails, to help wounds heal fast, is needed during pregnancy, improves virility and improves our senses. How do you know if you are getting enough zinc? Let’s find out.

ZINC HISTORY
Zinc was first used as a metallic alloy. Ancient statues and ornaments with zinc have been unearthed dating as far back as 2,500 years. How did zinc get its name? It is believed that a German alchemist, Paracelsus, named the mineral during the medieval period in his book, Liber Mineralium II. He wrote about the crystal form with a needle-like structure calling it “zincum or zinken”.  Over the centuries zinc has been called Indian tin, calamine and spinter. It is believed that the first use of zinc for medicinal use was in India between the 13th and 16th century where it is mentioned in the ancient ayurvedic text called Charaka Samhita. China discovered zinc in the 1700’s and Europe did not use zinc until the 1800’s when they imported it from China. During the early discovery of zinc it was known as an expensive metal because of how it was mined. In 1746 a German chemist, Andreas Marggraf, developed the extraction of zinc by heating it with carbon. The largest zinc mine in the world is the Red Dog mine located in Alaska. Over the centuries the study of zinc shows it is a unique metal and it is used to remove impurities from water. It is in your cosmetics. It is used to coat steel to prevent corrosion and is a key alloy in making brass. Without zinc your cell phone would not work because zinc is in batteries.

YOUR ZINC HAS SUNK
Are there any signs that you may be low in zinc? Usually one of the first signs is that you take longer to heal from injuries, cuts and infections. You may even have a loss of appetite and nothing appeals to you. Your smell mechanism may be off as well. So, zinc deficiency affects the human senses. If the mineral is not replenished the next stage is a loss of energy and you feel lethargic. Mental health issues can also manifest. The arteries of the body can harden, skin rashes can appear and hair loss will materialize. If children suffer from zinc depletion it can stunt growth and delay the onset of puberty.

Pregnant women who are low in zinc risk damaging the fetus because zinc is used in cell division and growth in the development of the baby.  Certain medical conditions can put people at greater risk if zinc gets low such as patients with sickle-cell anemia. Red blood cells are supposed to be rich with zinc and without it the cells break apart. When this happens what little zinc there is will leave the body through the urine.

ZINC DEPLETION
Where we find the most zinc deficient people are those who are relying on grains as a zinc source. Whole grains have zinc-binding substances called phytates, which attach to zinc and block its absorption. What else can cause our zinc to sink?

If you are a strict vegetarian and omit all animals foods (meat, eggs, milk, cheese) then you can run the risk of zinc depletion unless you get it another way. Vegetarians tend to eat more grains which will block zinc absorption.

• If you drink alcohol (above moderation) it interferes with the absorption of zinc and will accelerate the zinc loss through urine.
• Pregnancy and breast feeding can lower the zinc nutrient and women need to take care and replenish zinc.
• The elderly tend to be low in zinc due to poor eating habits, limited budgets and if living alone don’t bother to cook for themselves.

Zinc is very important to all life. If soil becomes zinc deficient we have crop failure. Currently it is estimated that in the US and in many other countries there is a 30% loss of zinc from rice, wheat and corn.

DRUGS DEPLETE ZINC
There are many prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that will strip the zinc from our body. Here is a brief list:

1. If you take prescription diuretics which cause the body to void out more minerals (including zinc).
2. Antacids
3. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, non-steroidal drugs NSAID’s
4. Anticonvulsants
5. Antiretroviral drugs
6. Birth control drugs
7. Cardiovascular drugs
8. Ulcer drugs

Drug companies are not required to do nutrient depletion studies on their products. It is a shame that millions of people are experiencing drug-induced nutrient depletion and the medical establishment is ignoring it. Be careful selecting the right multivitamin as more supplement companies are being bought out by pharmaceutical companies. I would look for “whole food” supplements made with organic nutrients which are not missing any of the phytochemicals put there by our Creator. 

TOO MUCH ZINC?
It is pretty hard to overdose on zinc but if you think you have too much what are the symptoms? Vomiting and diarrhea will be from high doses taken in supplement form. Taking too much zinc can produce a copper deficiency in the body. You need copper to protect your bones, hemoglobin, red blood cells and skin.

FOODS HIGH IN ZINC
You can beef-up the foods in your diet to avoid zinc depletion. This food list is in order of highest zinc nutrition;: oysters, wheat germ, beef, turkey, crab, cheese, pumpkin seeds, squash, beans, nuts, fish and eggs.

HERBS HIGH IN ZINC
Most of us don’t have time to make well-prepared meals. Modern living has a majority of families eating out or microwaving something to eat. If this is how you approach eating, I would encourage you to change eating habits and make your own meals. For those who need to rely more on supplements and don’t want synthetics or fillers in their supplements then these herbs can help: bilberry, skullcap, capsicum, sage, pennyroyal, wild yam, spirulina algae, chichweed, Echinacea root, astragalus root, nettle leaf, parsley, Siberian ginseng root, and dulse seaweed.

SPICES & ZINC
There are spices that are high in zinc as well. Here is a brief list with the higher concentrations listed first: poppy seeds, cardamom, basil, celery seed, thyme, mustard seed, caraway seed, anise seed, dill seed, cumin, coriander, sage, turmeric, paprika, chili powder, curry, onion powder, tarragon, fennel seed and ginger.

OTHER BENEFITS
Zinc also offers us some protection against one of the most deadly diseases of modern civilization – cancer. How does it do that? Zinc assists the immune system to keep cancer cells from spreading.

ZINC SUPPORT
The human body depends on zinc. Zinc is important for enzyme and metabolism function. Without zinc for enzyme action we have no energy, poor digestion and a weak immune system. Men need zinc for a healthy prostate. Teenagers need zinc for proper sexual development and to complete puberty. Our system also uses zinc to help detoxify our body.  

WHOLE FOOD ZINC SUPPLEMENTS
If you are interested in whole food zinc nutrition in supplement form then call Apothecary Herbs. They have many products with herbs and spices containing natural zinc. For instance zinc-rich herbs are in their Immune Booster, Echinacea Deluxe, Female formulas, Prostate Kit, Male Hormone formula, Astragalus Root tincture, Siberian Ginseng tincture, Emotional Stress formula, Heart formula, Thyme tincture, Fennel seed tincture, Ginger root tincture, Digestion Kit and Body Foundation Food mix.  Zinc is also in their Cold & Flu Packages. Call Apothecary Herbs now to order or for a FREE product catalog at 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where you healthcare options just became endless. Check out their FREE Stuff Monday – Monday orders over $50 will receive a Free Power Herbs 400-page e-book via email or a Free Salt Grinder (while supplies last).  Not to be used with other discounts or promotions.

NEW HERB FORMULA
Try Dandelion Root Tincture for inflammation, blood purification, respiratory infections, digestion and cancer protection for just $14.00 at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

MORE HERB SECRETS IN THE POWER HERBS e-BOOK. By popular demand The Power Herbs e-book is available with symptom/herb reference guide, information on organ cleansing and how to make your own herbal tinctures plus a whole lot more. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com and click on Books. You must have email to order and receive the e-book a PDF version of The Power Herb book for just $14.99. At this time, we do not offer this title in hard copy.

COMING UP ON HERB TALK LIVE
Herbalist Wendy Wilson on Herb Talk Live
Saturday morning show:
7 am EST on GCN
1/19/13 Dr. Rebecca Carley is Wendy’s guest (Rescheduled from 1/12/13)
1/26/13 John Monroe with www.drbanker.com Vision Expert
Weekday show:
7 pm EST on AVR
1/22/13 Dr. Christine Horner - Natural Cancer Treatments
1/29/13 Pete Cerqua – author Fitness Revolution
1/31/13 Dr. Julian Ford & Jon Wortmann –authors of Hijacked by Your Brain
Shortwave show 8 pm EST WWCR 4840
Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com Herb Talk Live & Radio Archive area for network link access and past shows to download and share. For Android users you can download a FREE app for Herb Talk Live on GCN. See the download link under radio archives at top of page at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

PANDEMIC NEWS 
Do you have your Pandemic Kit yet? Here is what folks are saying about the 100% organic Pandemic Kit made by Apothecary Herbs. "I have this kit and recommend everyone have at least one on hand (or more depending on family size) for a pandemic." Rebecca Carley, MD, Hickory, NC and “I have one and glad I do; just in case. I like the long shelf life.” Melody Cedarstrom, Port Matilda, PA (more customer feedback at http://www.thepowerherbs.com) or call 866-229-3663 to order your kit today.

PURE ZINC ENERGY
Pure energy is organic and instantly absorbed – transporting nutrition to every cell in your body. It is a super food for the body to repair, build and fortify itself. Where do you get it? It’s called Body Foundation Food Mix and is at Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com. This pure energy food source is so efficient; you won’t feel hungry between meals and can safely lose weight.

DETOX PRODUCTS
Apothecary Herbs has released a new product called Liver Detox Tea. You can layer this tea with Milk Thistle Tincture for a gentle yet effective liver cleanse. This is a nice option if you can’t do the Liver/Gall Bladder Flush using olive oil. You will find this new product under Herbal Teas at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Also New is the Liver & Gall Bladder Tincture with dandelion root for more anticancer protection. This formula is available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. You will find this item under Organ Body Cleanses at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. You can layer this tincture with the Liver Detox Tea and be well!

BE PREPARED
Being prepared is never a waste of time. Get your own organic garden growing and stock as much healthy foodstuffs as you can. You’ll also need backup medicine but the over-the-counter and prescription medicines have a limited shelf life of two years or less. However, your organic medicines have a ten year shelf life without side effects. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for their Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package or make sure you get one of their many herb kits for boosting immune system and protecting you from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Call Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

ALLERGY RELIEF
If you suffer from allergies (sneezing, itchy watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pressure or sinus infections) try the Echinacea Deluxe formula and Herbal Eyewash both around $20.00 from Apothecary Herbs. Call now toll free 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

APOTHECARY HERBS VITAMIN VAULT – STOCK UP AND SAVE!
You already know that you can save on the half and full case discounts in the Vitamin Vault area at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Apothecary Herbs has added a new item called the Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package. This package is designed for those preparing for their medical future and contains immune boosting, pain & inflammation, organ cleanses, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and protein products plus a Pandemic Kit and it comes with a savings of $150.00. Visit http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call toll free to order your Starter Stock-up Package 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277. Mail in your check or money order for this package and save an additional 15% ($242.00) before shipping.

MALE & FEMALE ORGAN CLEANSES KITS – Don’t give disease a foothold. You will have the power to cleanse the bowel, urinary, liver, gall bladder and blood system with this cleanse package. For added cleansing, ask about how you can upgrade your order to include the prostate cleanse for men or the Kidney/Bladder cleanse for females.  Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call their 24-hour live customer service line 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.

MALE HORMONE FORMULA (use with the Prostate Kit)
Apothecary Herbs brand new formula to help balance male hormones – Male Hormone Formula. Call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com

MORE PROTECTION from EMF, RADIATION
The folks at admitters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics, bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? You purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Admitters.  Radmeters has a direct link http://www.radmeters.com/tph or you can click their link under “links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.  I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson.

PROSTATE KIT THAT WORKS! Go to Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com and type in “Prostate” in the search box or for more information or call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.  Layer this kit with their Male Hormone formula.

ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF HERBAL MEDICNE (shelf life 10 to 15 years)
See Apothecary Herbs One Year Supply of Herbal Medicine at http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. Call for a customized year supply or to set up installment payment for this package.

RAD METERS – Measure dirty electricity in your home or office and save 10% in January 2013
The folks at radmeters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics and bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? Purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Radmeters. Click on the Radmeters banner under “Links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com and receive 10% off on your January order. I would not recommend Radmeters if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson