Whilst zinc is by no means a cure all for acne, it does play a critical role. Many acne sufferers are found to be deficient in zinc, and may find that their acne improves when they start supplementing it. Zinc is a trace mineral essential to all forms of life. This is due to its fundamental role in cell growth and replication, making it extremely important for clear skin. In fact, taking zinc or eating zinc-rich foods is a fast and easy way to ensure you are covering your bases for clear skin. There is also a pretty good chance that you’re deficient without even knowing it! Most people do not realize that zinc deficiency is extremely common. Some symptoms of zinc deficiency are: - White spots on your fingernails - Dry skin - Frequent colds - Hair loss - Diarrhoea - Low sex drive - ACNE! Here are our top 6 foods rich in Zinc: 1. Seafood: Cooked oysters have one of the highest levels of zinc per 100g serving of any food with 78.6mg. Crab and lobster also represent a great way to get zinc into your diet naturally and they are yummy to boot! 2. Toasted Wheat Germ: It may sound a little odd, but eating wheat germ (the part of wheat that sprouts and grows into a new plant) is a great way to boost your zinc intake. Untoasted Wheat Germ is also fine with toasting increases zinc levels and make it even tastier! 3. Spinach: Good old Spinach is a tried and tested way to get a range of great vitamins and minerals into your diet, to support your skin and overall health. Spinach contains one of the highest levels of zinc, closely followed by raw Radicchio. 4. Pumpkin and Squash Seeds: They might taste yummy, but believe it or not they are also good for you! Along with Sunflower seeds and Chia seeds, these beauties are packed full of vitamins and minerals that are ideal for the skin, including zinc and VitaminB5. 5. Nuts: Yummy as they are, roasted Cashews are actually incredibly rich in zinc, with 5.6mg per 100g. Along with Pine Nuts, Pecans, Almonds, Walnuts and Hazelnuts, Cashews are in if you are wanting to increase your zinc intake. 6. Beans: Cooked Mung Beans are a great source of zinc, and whilst they may not be appealing to all tastes, they are fine when disguised in dishes such as soups and curries. Give it a try today and reap the benefits! Adzuki Beans, Chickpeas and Kidney Beans are other great options.