Zinc is an essential mineral.

The human body cannot produce zinc on its own, so it must be obtained from outside sources. This is why zinc is called an essential mineral.  Zinc is also known as a micromineral. It is needed in the diet on a daily basis, but only in very small amounts (50 milligrams or less).  Zinc is found in almost every cell.

Zinc is needed for the synthesis of insulin.

Zinc can be found in these food sources:  beans, liver, lentils, and spinach.  It is also found in fish, oysters, meat, tofu, seafood, eggs, lamb, whole grains and wheat germ.

Zinc can be found in both animal and plant food sources. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food, but the richest source of zinc comes from animal foods. Red meat and poultry provide the majority of zinc in the American diet.