Researchers have recently discovered how zinc helps rid the body of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria that can cause meningitis, pneumonia and bacteraemia.
Streptococcus pneumoniae can be fatal, with medicos urging vaccination against pneumococcal diseases. Now we know why zinc may help the body fight these nasties. Basically put, Streptococcus pneumoniae uses the trace metal manganese to defend itself against the body's immunity, binding the manganese with a spring-hammer mechanism. When zinc is given, the smaller molecule zinc is bound instead, and being a smaller molecule, causes the Streptococcus pneumoniae spring mechanism to unwind too far and lock shut. This starves the bacteria of manganese, allowing the body to clear the infection more easily.
Kudos to Australian researchers at the University of Queensland and University of Adelaide for their discovery! It's great to identify the actual reasons why Natural supplements work, allowing Naturopaths to prescribe very specifically and accurately.
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