Why oysters are a top natural source of zinc
Ask where zinc is found and one answer almost always comes first: oysters. Few foods contain zinc in such high concentration. The reason lies in the food matrix: the zinc in oyster tissue is bound to proteins and amino acids, in the form the body is used to taking in from food. A freeze-dried oyster extract preserves this matrix and makes it practical as a capsule, without having to eat fresh oysters.
What makes oysters interesting is that they provide more than zinc. They are one of the few foods that contain zinc and selenium together in notable amounts (along with copper and vitamin B12).
Zinc, copper, selenium and B12: what the nutrients do
Zinc, copper, selenium and vitamin B12 have clearly defined roles in the body. Officially authorised health claims exist for all four:
Zinc
- contributes to the normal function of the immune system
- contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
- contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood
- contributes to normal fertility and reproduction
- contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails
- contributes to normal cognitive function
Selenium
- contributes to normal thyroid function
- contributes to the normal function of the immune system
- contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
- contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails
Copper
- contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
- contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
- contributes to normal iron transport in the body
- contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
Vitamin B12
- contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
- contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
- contributes to the normal function of the nervous system
- contributes to normal red blood cell formation
Zinc is involved in a large number of enzymatic processes in the body. With a natural oyster extract, you get all four nutrients from a single food.
Oyster extract or synthetic zinc?
A synthetic zinc product provides an isolated zinc salt, a single substance, often with acidifiers and anti-caking agents. A genuine oyster extract delivers zinc in its natural context, just as it occurs in food. For anyone who prefers to get nutrients from real food rather than the lab, that is the key difference.
Who is pure oyster extract for?
The extract is for anyone who wants to cover their zinc, selenium, copper and B12 intake from a natural source, as part of a mindful, nutrient-dense lifestyle or a diet with few animal products. As a neutral-tasting capsule, it fits easily into everyday life without eating fresh oysters.