The wellness world is abuzz about zinc, namely because of its reputation as an immunity superstar — something we’ve all been especially focused on boosting over the last few years. But there’s so much more to zinc than its stay-healthy powers. “Zinc is an essential mineral that is crucial for various physiological processes in the human body. It falls under the category of trace minerals, meaning that it is needed in small quantities but is still vital for maintaining overall health,” explains Abigail Basson, PhD, RD, LD, a registered dietitian and NIH-funded instructor in the department of nutrition at the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Experts say that it’s pretty easy to get enough zinc through your diet because we need relatively little of it and so many foods are sources of it, including:
seafood (particularly oysters and shellfish)
poultry
beef and pork
dairy
whole grains (and fortified cereals)
beans
nuts and seeds
But if your diet isn’t the most balanced or you’re a strict vegan, it’s still possible to become deficient in it. “A zinc deficiency can lead to a weakened immune system, problems with growth and development, skin disorders such as acne, and difficulty healing wounds, as well as poor appetite and hair loss,” says Serena Poon, certified nutritionist, celebrity chef and longevity wellness expert.