Best supplements: Zinc supplementation could help reduce a cold, diarrhoea and diabetes

BEST supplements: Zinc is a trace element that is necessary for a healthy immune system. Studies suggest supplementation with zinc can help with colds, diarrhoea and diabetes risk.Supplements are known to help a variety of health issues and should be the first line of defence before embarking on antibiotics. According to studies and health experts, taking zinc supplements can help with many issues including helping with colds, diarrhoea and reducing diabetes risk. Similar to magnesium, zinc is excreted in the urine when sugar levels are high, said Diabetes.co.uk The health site continued: “As a result, people with diabetes may have lower levels of zinc than people without diabetes. “Zinc helps with the production and secretion of insulin and if deficient in zinc, your doctor may advise supplementing with zinc.” READ MORE: Type 2 diabetes warning - four fruits that could be raising your blood sugar levels Recent studies have shown the dynamic role of zinc, an insulin mimetic, as a “cellular second messenger” in glucose homeostasis and in the control of insulin signalling, said the National Library of Health. It added: “Synthesis, secretion and insulin action are dependent on zinc and transporters. “This suggests that zinc plays a role, previously not identified, where changes in the state of zinc over time can affect the activity of insulin. “This is a novel area of investigation and introduces a new class of useful drugs for diabetes pharmacotherapy.” Dr Ian Tullberg, medical director of UC Health Medical Group said: “There’s good evidence that oral zinc works well. “Those who swear by zinc as a cold remedy know to take it when they first start to feel a scratchy throat. “They try to hit it early right when the cold’s coming on. “Research spanning decades has shown that using zinc lozenges through the course of the cold does make a difference.” In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the role of zinc in helping with diarrhoea was investigated. The study noted: “Zinc supplementation is a critical new intervention for treating diarrheal episodes in children. “Recent studies suggest that administration of zinc along with new low osmolarity oral rehydration solutions / salts, can reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes for up to three months. “The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend daily 20 mg zinc supplements for 10 to 14 days for children with acute diarrhoea, and 10 mg per day for infants under six months old, to curtail the severity of the episode and prevent further occurrences in the ensuing -two to three months, thereby decreasing the morbidity considerably.” A lack of zinc can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness. It is responsible for a number of functions in the human body, and it helps stimulate the activity of at least 100 different enzymes. Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. As with most new supplements, it's always best to consult with your GP beforehand.