Immune minerals: Zinc und selenium as contributors to immune response

Immune minerals - what does that even mean? In times when new buzzwords and formulations emerge in the health industry on an almost daily basis, it isn’t always easy to maintain perspective. Our brief summary on zinc and selenium is intended to remedy this. If you would like to learn more about the topic of health awareness, a click on our health icon.

First of all, zinc and selenium are minerals that the body cannot produce, and which therefore must be ingested via food and drink. Despite their significance for various metabolic processes, they can only be stored in the body in small amounts. Because of this low concentration they are known as trace elements.

Both minerals function as enzymes, which participate in various reactions and metabolic processes in the human body. Thus, they contribute to normal function of the immune system, or the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Immune + minerals = immune minerals. Makes sense, right?

Zinc- and selenium-rich foods to meet your daily needs

Since the body is unable to produce zinc and selenium, these immune minerals must be consumed via food and drink. Generally speaking, the body receives adequate doses of both substances via normal nutrition, and is even able to store a small portion in muscles, bones, blood, and tissues. If there is increased need (e.g., due to ongoing stress or unusual physical exertion), the stored minerals are quickly distributed throughout the body in order to maintain the most important functions.

In case of increased requirement, more zinc- and selenium-rich foods should be incorporated into your diet. According to the German Society for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V.), the daily requirement for an adult woman is 7mg of zinc and 60 µg of selenium. Grown men require slightly more, namely 10mg zinc and 70 µg selenium.