Functions	Zinc found in the body is part of over 20 enzymatic reactions and aids in maintaining structural configuration of some nonenzymatic molecules. Zinc acts as a cofactor in the following functions: Alcohol dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, carboxypeptidase, cytochrome, glutamate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase. Zinc is also very important for insulin activity, ruducing infant morbidity and mortality, normal taste and wound healing, immune system function, bone structure, enzymatic reactions, normal vitamin A levels and usage, and protein and DNA synthesis.
Deficiency can cause	Impaired protein synthesis, impeded collagen formation and alcohol tolerance, dwarfism, lethargy, skin inflammation, sterility, anemia, poor wound healing, loss of taste, loss of smell, damage to the retina, impaired nerve conductivity, spontaneous abortion in pregnant women, extended pregnancy or premature delivery, prolonged labor, retarded fetal growth, malformation risk increased, reduced infant survival, stunted growth, impaired immunity.
Toxicity symptoms include	Muscle incoordination, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems, lethargy, renal failure, and anemia.
Food Sources	Animal foods, milk, egg yolks, whole grain breads and cereals, brewer's yeast, legumes, lima beans, mushrooms, pecans, pumpkin seed, soy lecithin, soybeans, sunflower seeds.
Herbal Sources	Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, eyebright, fennel seeds, hops, milk thistle mullein, nettles, parsley, rose hips, sage, sarsaparilla, skullcap, and wild yam.
RDA*	Infants 0 - 1 year           5mg Children 1 - 10 years       10mg Males 11+ years           15mg Females 11+ years           12mg Pregnant             15mg    Lactating 1st 6 months       19mg 2nd 6 months      16mg

*The Nutrition Desk Reference by Robert Garrison, Jr., M.A., R.Ph. and Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.; Keats Publishing Company, Inc: New Canaan, Connecticut: 1977
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch & Balch, CNC, M.D.; Penguin Putnam, Inc. Ney York, NY: 2000