Zinc-ACE

[Nutritional Advisers Product Information]

Zinc

This mineral is involved in more than 70 enzyme systems in the body.

Zinc plays a part in virtually every aspect of immunity, which includes T cells and thymic hormone levels as well as white blood cell count. (1, 2) Research indicates that zinc, like vitamin C, possesses antiviral properties against several virus strains including the cause of common cold. According to a double blind trial zinc-containing lozenges significantly reduced the average duration of the common cold. (3) Zinc is used to make one form of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, which plays an important part in the protective mechanism of the body.

This mineral is required for the production of stomach acid due to its involvement with the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Stomach acid is essential for the proper absorption of minerals and the breakdown of proteins into their smallest components, the amino acids. These are then used by the body to synthesise new proteins for the regeneration of tissues and the formation of brain chemicals, hormones, enzymes and the cells of the immune system. Hormones act as messengers in the body while enzymes can be compared to catalysts, which amongst other functions turn food into energy.

Poor skin health can in some instances also be linked to poor zinc status, which is particularly common in teenagers who have increased demands for this mineral as they are going through the stage of physical maturation (4).

Zinc plays a vital role in male sexual function, which includes hormone metabolism, sperm formation and structure as well as sperm motility. (5) Prostatic fluid contains higher levels of zinc than any other body tissue. (14) Zinc is often included in supplements for men who want to maintain healthy prostate function.

There is increasing evidence that obtaining sufficient levels of zinc during pregnancy is of particular importance. Low maternal zinc levels have been associated with low birth weight. Zinc is required for certain enzymes involved in regulating the replication, transcription and translation of DNA. (14)

Another role of zinc is its action as a vital co-factor in the conversion of essential dietary oils and fats to hormone-like substances referred to as prostaglandins. These have many regulating functions on a tissue level such as inhibiting inflammation, involvement of uptake of hormones by the cells, tear production and the inhibition of aggregation of blood platelets to mention a few.

A lack of taste and smell has been linked to low zinc levels, which may affect appetite. Zinc food supplements are often recommended for eczema sufferers and in order to speed up wound healing.

A small amount of copper has been included in Wassen Zinc-ACE to maintain the correct zinc:copper ratio in the body.

Vitamin C

While most mammals are able to produce their own vitamin C internally from glucose, man appears to have lost the ability to do so and has to rely on this important vitamin from dietary sources.

Vitamin C is well known for its antioxidant function in the body, where it works mostly in the aqueous solutions both inside and outside the cells. It works in combination with vitamin E, an oil soluble vitamin, by allowing it to be used over and over again, thus potentiating its action (6). Vitamin C has been shown to be involved in various immune functions by enhancing white blood cell function and activity and increasing thymic hormone levels, as well as possessing certain biochemical effects similar to interferon, the body's natural antiviral and anticancer compound (7). The duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold appear to be affected by an ingestion of additional vitamin C. Various studies have demonstrated this by a shortened duration of the cold or a decrease of severity of symptoms (8).

Vitamin C appears to exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system by acting as an antioxidant and strengthening the collagen structures of the arteries (9). With its involvement in the synthesis of collagen, which can be compared to a 'glue' that holds all the body's tissues together, vitamin C also plays an important part in keeping skin and bones strong and in good health. Another area where vitamin C plays a protective role is in seminal fluid, which contains much higher levels of ascorbic acid than other body fluids. In a study, a deficiency of vitamin C led to a decrease in seminal fluid and an increase of DNA damage in sperm. (10)

Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids are a group of plant pigments, which are responsible for the colours of many fruits and flowers. These nutritional substances exhibit antioxidant activity and may have a part to play in increasing intracellular levels of vitamin C. Citrus bioflavonoids also have a beneficial effect on capillary permeability and blood flow, whilst also exhibiting anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory benefits. (11)

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a lipid phase antioxidant, playing an especially important role in all cell membranes where it protects unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol. This vitamin has also been linked to healthy muscle function and fertility in both males and females. (11)

Beta-Carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A)

The best-known function of vitamin A is its importance for eye health, especially in relation to night blindness. However, it also is essential for the maintenance of healthy mucous membranes throughout the body particularly in the digestive tract and lungs, making them more resistant to the invasion of undesirable pathogens. Vitamin A is essential for growth and differentiation, which explains its importance for both male and female fertility. (11)

Beta-carotene has the ability to act as a precursor to vitamin A. Other functions of beta-carotene includes its ability to quench singlet oxygen free radicals and intercepting peroxyl radicals. An enhancement of the immune response is also indicated by in-vivo studies. (12)

Copper

Superoxide dismutase, which forms part of the enzymatic antioxidant system of the body, and ceruloplasmin depend on the trace element copper for proper function. Ceruloplasmin exerts an antioxidant effect in its own right and in addition is required for the flow of iron from storage sites. Lysyl oxidase, a copper dependent enzyme, is secreted by connective tissue cells to aid in the cross-linking of elastin and collagen, which is essential to connective tissue and blood vessel maintenance. Cytochrome oxidase the terminal component of the electron transport chain in all mammalian cells is another copper dependent enzyme.

Vitamin B6

This vitamin acts as a coenzyme in more than 100 enzyme reactions in many areas of metabolism, but especially amino acid synthesis and catabolism. It is this role that makes this vitamin so important for the formation of body proteins and structural compounds, chemical transmitters in the nervous system, red blood cells and prostaglandins. The latter act as hormone-like substances on a cellular level involved with the regulation of inflammatory processes. Decarboxylation of neuroactive amines also requires vitamin B6, which may explain depression and mood swings being symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency. Since the 1950's the addition of vitamin B6 antagonists to food has increased, which may be one explanation for an increase of asthma, premenstrual syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and depression for example. Vitamin B6 antagonists include hydrazine dyes, certain drugs, oral contraceptives as well as alcohol and excessive protein intake. (11)

Many of the body processes outlined above depend on vitamin B6 and zinc, the reason for combining both in this formulation.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

The function of these vitamins is closely linked. Folic acid deficiency has been linked with the wasting of body tissues, whilst vitamin B12 is associated with severe neurologic symptoms. Folic acid is essential for cell division, due to its requirement for DNA synthesis as well as the production of red blood cells, whilst vitamin B12 plays a key role in the production of the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells. It has now been recognised that low levels of folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy are linked to neural tube defects like spina bifida. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of the amino acids methionine and cysteine and thus reduced glutathione, a powerful intracellular antioxidant. Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency may result in the accumulation of homocysteine, which is an atherogenic agent. It is interesting to note that folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation brought down homocysteine levels even in individuals with normal homocysteine values. Reversible senility can also be caused by folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies. (11,13)

B-Complex

A B-complex mixture has been added as a base to complement the B-vitamins contained in this formula.

References:

(1) Dardenne M., et al., Contribution of zinc and other metals to the biological activity of the serum thymic factor, Proc. Natl Acad Sci, 79, 5370-5373,1982

(2) Bogden J. D. et al., Zinc and immunocompetence in the elderly: Baseline data on zinc nutriture and immunity in unsupplemented subjects, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 46, 101-109, 1987

(3) Eby G.A., Davis D. R., Halcomb W.W., Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study, Antimirob Agents Chemother, 25, 20-24, 1984

(4) Michaelsson G., Vahlquist A., Juhlin L, Serum zinc and retinol-binding protein in acne, Br. J. Dermatol, 1977, 96, 283-286

(5) Prasad A. S., Zinc in growth and development and specturm of human zinc deficiency, J. Am. Coll Nutr., 7, 377, 384, 1988

(6) Halliwell B., Human Health and Disease - A radical look, Biological Review, March 1995, 21-24

(7) Bendich A., Vitamin C and immune responses, Food Technol, 41, 1987, 112-114,

(8) Hemila H. and Herman, Vitamin C and the common cold: A retrospective analysis of Chalmers's review, J Am Coll Nutr., 14, 1995, 116-123

(9) Simon J. A. , Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: a review, J. Am Coll Nutr., 11, 1992, 107-25

(10) Fraga C et al., Ascorbic acid protects against endogenous oxidative DNA damage in human sperm, Proc. Natl Acad Sci., 88, 1991, 11003-11006

(11) Michael Murray, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Prima Publishing, 1996

(12) Carotenoids Fact Book, Veris Information Service, 5325 S. 9th Avenue, LaGrange, Illinois 60525, 1996

(13) Maria C. Linder (Editor), Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism with Clincial Applications, Prentice-Hall International Inc., 1991

(14) D. Bryce-Smith, Zinc deficiency - the neglected factor, Chemistry in Britain, 1989 (August), pp 783-786