Have you ever wondered? Is there enough trace elements in your body? In these tiny substances, there may be hidden keys that affect your health.

Zinc is one of them. It is not only a good helper for "boosting immunity", but also plays a non-negligible role in protecting the heart and preventing dementia.

So, how exactly does zinc affect our heart health and brain function? If we don't get enough of it, what will be the consequences for our body?

As a long-time hospital doctor, I learned about the importance of zinc in our bodies at an early age.

Through seeing countless patients, I have gradually discovered that many seemingly unrelated diseases are actually closely related to zinc deficiency, especially as we age, zinc deficiency can have serious effects on our heart and brain.

I once had a patient who was older and often felt memory loss, physical exhaustion, and symptoms such as heart palpitations. After the examination, it was found that her zinc levels were significantly lower than normal, and these symptoms were significantly alleviated after zinc supplementation.

Zinc's protective effect on the heart is far greater than we generally think, it can help regulate cardiovascular health, promote the normal functioning of the immune system, and also play a significant role in brain function.

The protective effect of zinc on the heart

We often hear warnings about heart disease, high blood pressure, etc., especially after we get older, and some of the body's "alarms" start to sound frequently.

But did you know that many times, the problem is not entirely caused by conventional factors, and is even related to the deficiency of certain trace elements in the body, take zinc as an example, as an element that is often overlooked, its protective effect on the heart, many people do not know much about it.

One patient did not exercise much and did not have excessive eating problems, however, he often felt a tightness in his chest, especially when he was tired or nervous.

First, the doctor was unable to immediately diagnose a definite problem, and even recommended that he undergo several routine examinations, but the results did not find any particularly prominent signs of heart disease.

It wasn't until later, when we examined the elements in his body, that we found that he had unusually low levels of zinc. After zinc supplementation, his symptoms gradually disappeared and his heart's "cry for help" signal became less pronounced.

This incident made me realize that the effects of zinc on our hearts are more profound than we think.

Zinc is an important element involved in a variety of enzyme reactions, not only helping us synthesize proteins, repair cells, but also playing a vital role in heart health.

Many clinical studies have found that zinc can help regulate the function of the endothelium of blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis, which is why some people who are chronically deficient in zinc are often more at risk of heart-related diseases.

Prevent dementia

In addition to the heart, the effects of zinc on the brain cannot be ignored. For many people, memory decline and brain function deterioration are inevitable things that happen with age.

But would you be surprised if you were told that zinc might be the key to slowing down this process?

I once saw a middle-aged woman who was so anxious that she often forgot small things, such as remembering the wrong date or even forgetting what she had just done.

She is a teacher in her own right and has to deal with a lot of teaching and memory work on a daily basis, but over time, these memory problems gradually affected her work performance, making her career stressful, and after examination, her zinc levels were very low.

After supplementing with zinc and improving her diet, her memory improved significantly after a few months. She returned to her normal working condition and no longer bothered with those little "forgets".

Many studies on the relationship between zinc and dementia have come to fairly clear conclusions. Studies have shown that zinc levels in older people with dementia are often lower than normal, and that zinc deficiency may accelerate the decline of brain function.

Especially in people with Alzheimer's disease, zinc deficiency symptoms are more prominent than others. In fact, early zinc supplementation can effectively slow down the loss of cognitive function.

Where do zinc supplementation start?

If you feel that zinc supplementation has such an important impact on the heart and brain, how can you ensure adequate zinc intake through your diet in your daily life? The answer is simpler than you think, but you can easily supplement with zinc by consuming some common foods.

First of all, seafood is one of the richest zinc-rich foods, especially oysters, which are rich in zinc, and many studies have shown that oysters contain several times more zinc than other foods, making it an excellent choice for increasing zinc concentrations in the blood.

If you love seafood, eating oysters in moderation every week will not only satisfy your cravings, but also provide powerful support for your heart and brain.

Second, nuts, such as almonds, cashews and walnuts, are not only rich in healthy fats, but also rich in zinc, especially cashews, which are very high in zinc, so try adding them to your daily snack or salad.

In addition, red meat and organ meats, such as liver and kidneys, are also rich in zinc, and although we don't necessarily eat these foods every day, eating them in moderation can provide the body with enough zinc.

With a reasonable diet, we can easily get enough zinc, which can not only protect the heart, but also maintain the vitality of the brain.

Zinc, which is not only an inconspicuous trace element, is also a solid backing for our health. If you also want to maintain a healthy heart and clear thinking, remember to add some "zinc" to your diet from today.

The above content is for reference only, if you feel unwell, please consult a professional doctor in time

What do you think about zinc? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!

Proofread by Zhuang Wu