Zinc

Zinc is found in cells throughout the body and is needed for the body’s defensive (immune) system to work properly

Zinc is found in cells throughout the body and is needed for the body’s defensive (immune) system to work properly and Zinc plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly.

Recent information:

When Zinc is taken for at least 5 months, zinc may reduce your risk of becoming sick with the common cold.
Starting to take zinc supplements within 24 hours after cold symptoms begin may reduce how long the symptoms last and make the symptoms less severe.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles can enhance the antibacterial activity of Ciprofloxacin. It has been shown that nano ZnO which has the average size between 20 nm and 45 nm can enhance the antibacterial activity of Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro. The enhancing effect of this nanomaterial is concentration-dependent against all test strains.

This effect may be due to two reasons. First, Zinc Oxide nanoparticles can interfere with NorA protein. NorA is a protein which is developed for conferring resistance in bacteria and has pumping activity that mediate the effluxing of hydrophilic fluroquinolones from a cell. Second, Zinc Oxide nanoparticles can interfere with Omf protein. Omf is a membrane protein that is responsible for the permeation of quinolones into the cell.