Zinc

Jellyfish, yes! Chosen for resemblance to the blueish-white lustrous metal color of Zinc

Jellyfish, yes! Chosen for resemblance to the blueish-white lustrous metal color of Zinc

Zn // Atomic #: 30 // Atomic weight: 65.39

First found to be essential in plants in 1926. In 1955, it proved to be essential in growth of swine. In 1963, Ananda Prasad found zinc to be essential to human growth by studying Iranian and Egyptian children with zinc deficiencies, attributing the deficiency in large part to unleavened bread.

Zinc is one of 40 essential nutrients to humans. Some of its essential properties include:

  • promotes healthy developmental growth

    • 85% of Zinc in the body is found in the muscles and in the bones

  • supports immune system function

  • plays a role in cell division & cell growth

  • wound healing

  • normal metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, fat and alcohol

  • supports hormone action: insulin, thyroid, growth hormones, corticosteroids, etc.

Zinc accepts electrons and is associated with more than 50 enzymes. It forms linkages to support hormone action and helps maintain membrane integrity.

sources: https://www.exploratorium.edu/video/zinc-dr-janet-king & https://periodic.lanl.gov/30.shtml

chemistryJenna Frisch