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Zinc and Liquid Vitamins
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 The significance of zinc in human nutrition and public health was recognized in the early 1960's. Clinical deficiency of this nutrient in humans was first described in 1961, when consumption of diets low in nutrients bioavailability was associated with "adolescent nutritional dwarfism" in the Middle East. Since then the benefits of this nutrient have been recognized by a number of experts as an important public health issue, especially in developing countries. There are a number of aspects of cellular metabolism aspects of cellular metabolism that are dependent on this nutrient. This nutrient plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function, and reproduction. On the cellular level, the function of this nutrient can be divided into three categories: catalytic, structural, and regulatory. With catalytic functions, nearly 100 enzymes depend on this nutrient for their ability to catalyze vital chemical reactions. Dependent enzymes can be found in all known classes of enzymes. In the structural role, this nutrient plays an important part of the structure of proteins and cell membranes. Distributing the correct levels of nutrients is one of the strengths of liquid vitamins to ensure the proper dosages. A finger like structure, known as the zinc finger motif, stabilizes the structure of a number of proteins. For example, copper provides the catalytic activity for the antioxidant enzyme copper-zinc super-oxide dismutase, while this nutrient also plays a critical structural role. Loss of this nutrient from biological membranes increases their susceptibility to oxidative damage and impairs their function. In the regulatory role, these fingers have been found to regulate gene expression by acting as transcription factors by binding to DNA and influencing the transcription of specific genes. This nutrient also plays a role in cell signaling and has been found to influence hormone release and nerve transmission. Most of what is known about severe deficiency was derived from studying a generic disorder resulting from impaired uptake and transport of this nutrient. The symptoms of severe deficiency include the slowing or cessation of growth and development, delayed sexual maturation, characteristic skin rashes, and chronic and severe diarrhea. Other symptoms include immune system deficiencies, impaired wound healing, diminished appetite, impaired taste sensations, night blindness, swelling and clouding of the corneas, and behavioral disturbances.
Before these cases of genetic disorder where discovered, patients typically died in infancy. Mild deficiency contributes to a number of health problems, especially common in children of developing countries. Studies have found that mild deficiency of this nutrient contributes to the impaired physical and neuropsychological development and increased susceptibility to life-threatening infections in young children. Shellfish, beef and other red meats are rich sources of this nutrient, as well as nuts and legumes. Foods that are especially rich include: Oysters, crab (Dungeness), beef, pork, chicken (dark meat), turkey (dark meat), yogurt (fruit), cheese (cheddar), milk, cashews, almonds, peanuts, beans (baked), and chickpeas (garbanzo beans). A number of supplements are available,including zinc acetate, gluconate, and sulfate. Zinc picolinate has been promoted as a more absorbed form of this nutrient. Intranasal supplements (nasal sprays), are designed to be applied directly to nasal epithelium (cells lining nasal passages), and are also marketed as over-the-counter cold remedies. There are several very good brands of liquid vitamin and mineral supplements available in today's markets that can assist with the processes of this nutrient.
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