Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health. It promotes a healthy immune system and wound healing. It’s also important for cell division, protein production, and tissue growth and repair.

The most common types of zinc found in nutritional supplements include zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, and zinc acetate, which all support a healthy immune system. Zinc oxide is another type used topically as a skin ointment or in sunscreen due to its UV protective properties. In industrial applications, zinc may be alloyed with other metals such as copper to form brass, or with carbon to create galvanized steel.

Zinc dates back to ancient times. It was first used in the West during Roman civilization around 20 BC, but its usage in the East goes as far back as the prehistoric period. In India and China, artifacts made from alloys containing zinc have been found that date back to 2000 BC and even earlier. During the Middle Ages, the knowledge about zinc seemed to be lost in Europe, only to be rediscovered in the late 16th century by Andreas Libavius. However, pure metallic zinc wasn't manufactured on a large scale until the mid-18th century when William Champion patented a method for extracting zinc from calamine in a smelting process. Today, zinc is considered an essential mineral with wide-ranging applications including galvanizing iron to prevent rusting, making brass and bronze, use in batteries and cosmetics, and nutritional supplements.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, hair loss, weight loss, taste abnormalities, lethargy, and a weakened immune system.

Zinc is primarily found in animal products like beef, pork, and lamb. It’s also present in seafood, with oysters being the richest source, as well as plant-based sources like chickpeas, lentils and beans, nuts, and seeds.