Dr. Kumar dives into the hidden global crisis of zinc deficiency: covering its fundamental biology, landmark clinical cases, RDA versus optimal dosing, ancestral insights, and practical tips to ensure you aren’t one of the two billion people missing out on this essential micronutrient. 

Episode Highlights 

• Why Zinc Matters
• Discover how this tiny mineral powers hundreds of enzymes and controls key gene switches that keep you healthy.
• Life-Saving Discoveries
• Hear the true stories of zinc reversing stunted growth in Iran and curing a once-fatal genetic disease.
• Core Body Functions
• Learn how zinc supports immunity, wound healing, hormone balance (insulin, thyroid, testosterone, stress) and brain health.
• Optimal Dosage
• Find out why the basic RDA may fall short, what ancestral diets suggest, and why 15–20 mg per day hits the sweet spot.
• Food and Prep Tips
• See which foods pack the most zinc (oysters, meat, legumes), simple soaking or fermenting tricks to boost absorption, and when to supplement.
• Next Steps
• Spot the top signs of deficiency and get practical actions you can take today to make sure you’re not one of the two billion missing out.

  
Show Notes
 
In this episode you’ll learn:
 
• What zinc really does in the body as a cofactor for over 300 enzymes and 1,000 transcription factors
 
• The groundbreaking cases that put zinc on the map (Prasad’s Zinc Dwarf in Iran; Barnes & Moynahan’s cure of acrodermatitis enteropathica)
 
• How zinc fingers, superoxide dismutase, matrix metalloproteinases and other molecular players keep us running
 
• Zinc’s critical roles in hormone production (insulin, thyroid, testosterone, cortisol) and immune defense (thymulin, NK cells, cold lozenges)
 
• Clinical evidence for growth recovery, wound healing, blood-sugar control and cognitive benefits
 
• Why standard RDAs may only prevent severe deficiency and how transporter biology and ancestral diets point to 15–20 mg/day as optimal
 
• Food-first strategies (oysters, red meat, dairy, legumes) and traditional prep methods (soaking, fermenting) to neutralize phytates
 
• Why zinc glycinate is the gold-standard supplement, and dosing recommendations for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans

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References & Resources

Discovery of Human Zinc Deficiency: Its Impact on Human Health and Disease

Zinc Deficiency and Human Health: Etiology, Health Consequences, and Future Solutions

Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infection

Role of Zinc in Health and Disease

Zinc and the special senses

Zinc Deficiency - StatPearls

Discovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in an experimental human model

Zinc Transporters and the Cellular Trafficking of Zinc

Zinc Deficiency in Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: Multiple Dietary Intolerance Treated with Synthetic Diet

Zinc and Immune Function: The Biological Basis of Altered Resistance to Infection

The effects of zinc supplementation on wound healing

Zinc Deficiency in Humans: Discovery and Impact

Zinc supplementation improves glycemic

Effect of zinc supplementation on thyroid hormone

Zinc status and serum testosterone levels

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on GH

Zinc acutely and temporarily inhibits adrenal cortisol

Zinc and the aging brain

Effects of zinc supplementation on cognitive function

Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory and Cognitive Parameters

Improving Cognitive Function with Nutritional Supplements in Aging

Serum thymulin in human zinc deficiency

Effects of zinc deficiency on Th1 and Th2 cytokine shifts

Zinc enhances the number of regulatory T cells in allergen-stimulated cells

Short-term oral zinc supplementation enhances Natural Killer cell functionality

Zinc lozenges and the common cold

Antioxidant Role of Zinc in SOD1

Clinical Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation on Oxidative Stress

Zinc, aging, and immunosenescence

Zinc decreases C-reactive pro...