Are You Suffering From Acne? Maybe You’re Zinc Deficient!

Acne sufferers are always searching for the cause of their skin problems and is it any wonder? Acne is a miserable condition to suffer from and people will try anything to gain the clear skin of their dreams. The problem is that there are often a combination of factors at play when someone begins to suffer from acne but recently it has been discovered that many acne sufferers are zinc deficient.

The Importance Of Zinc

Zinc is a vital trace mineral which many people simply aren’t getting enough of and because it plays a huge part in cell regeneration there is a visible effect on the bodies of those who are deficient. Some of the symptoms of a zinc deficiency are as follows.

• Dry skin
• Acne
• Hangnails
• White spots on nails
• Diarrhea
• Frequent colds

The trouble is that people who appear to be eating a very healthy diet can still be zinc deficient due to some of the key foodstuffs which are consumed by health conscious individuals…namely beans and whole grains. But they’re good for you right? Well yes they are but unfortunately they also contain phytates which are known to bind up some of the good minerals and stop your body absorbing them as it should…and zinc is one of those minerals.

 

Fortunately there is a way round it. If you suspect that you may be deficient in zinc then it’s a good idea to purchase a good supplement and ensure that you’re receiving extra. There are many good brands out there and it’s not an expensive addition to your diet. But be careful to take zinc on a full stomach as it can make some people very nauseous.

Seek the advice of a professional before taking any supplements but as a general guideline to see any change in your skin and general appearance a daily dosage of between 25 and 40mg of zinc is adequate. Do not take more as this can result in a copper deficiency.

Which Foods Contain A High Zinc Percentage

Looking at your diet as a whole can also be useful in your battle to get the zinc you need. It’s present in many common foods and if you don’t enjoy taking supplements then you should try to consume more of the following.

• Chicken
• Sunflower seeds
• Spirulina
• Nuts
• Pumpkin seeds

These foods have higher amounts of zinc in them than others and if you are a vegetarian it’s even more important that you up your intake of seeds and nuts as those whole grains and beans which vegetarians rely on so heavily can wreak havoc with the zinc you are getting.

Try these changes and after two weeks you may see a vast improvement.