Zinc is a very important mineral required for normal functioning of the body. Zinc supplements are the most widely used mineral supplements. It has unique antioxidant properties which are good for the skin and muscles. In case of an injury, it helps speed up the recovery and healing process. It is known that zinc preparations can be useful in preventing sunburns and windburns. It is also being used as part of an effective eye treatment. If the body is deficient in zinc, then some of the enzyme catalyzed reactions may not take place properly, thus necessitating the need for zinc supplements to bring the body functions back to normal. The average daily requirement in men is 11 to 14 mg and in women it is 8 to 9 mg. There are various foods which are good sources of zinc, for example, nuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, beans and pumpkin seeds. In the absence of such foods one must resort to zinc supplements to fulfill the body’s zinc requirements. You should ideally consult your doctor before you start taking these supplements to know the dosage you require and its compatibility with other medications. Excessive supplements, anything exceeding 20 mg a day can be extremely harmful.