The maintenance of the health of several body systems such as the nervous, immune and reproductive systems are influenced by zinc, as are the senses of taste and smell. One fifth of zinc in the body is found to be in skin. Zinc helps tissue renewal and is involved in some of the enzymatic reactions necessary for skin's normal oil gland function.
Zinc is also an integral part of insulin, the hormone used for the treatment of diabetes, and is essential for all protein synthesis in the body. Any extra physical or mental demands made on the body can increase the need for zinc or cause our bodies to lose extra zinc, whereas phytate and fibre rich foods inhibit the absorption of zinc from food.