The body requires zinc for a number of reasons including helping the immune system, sustaining our joints and tissue and provides an essential role in assisting the development of your cells. Most people are doubtful to have a shortage, but owing to their nutritional preferences, vegans can be at more risk as they stay away from meat and dairy products which are naturally abundant in zinc.

Zinc supplements can be extremely useful to not only vegans, but any person who may have a low zinc intake. Studies show that not only are our senses such as sight, smell and taste kept in fine working order if we have a sustained quantity of zinc in our diet, but also our hair benefits and skin wounds and conditions such as acne tend to heal faster.

It has also been realized that zinc has a role to play in our fertility and a relation has been drawn between the low sperm count in men and a deficiency of zinc. The amount of men that are regarded to be sub fertile is on the rise and factors such as smoking, drinking, drugs and stress are all said to play a part in this condition. In these circumstances, a high dose supplement can benefit men significantly. Women can also use a zinc supplement when conceiving as it affects their hormone levels.

It is essential to be aware that like with any supplement you can overdose on zinc and if you do so on a repeated basis, you have a greater risk of really damaging your immune system. Older people are more prone to having a zinc deficiency and if you are unsure of your zinc levels, it is desirable ask for advice from your local doctor or GP to make sure that a supplement will truly be beneficial to you.