Why oysters are a natural source of zinc
Anyone looking for foods high in zinc will almost always find the same answer at the top of the list: the oyster. Very few foods contain zinc in such a high concentration. In oyster tissue, zinc is bound to proteins and amino acids – in the form in which it naturally occurs in food. A freeze-dried oyster extract preserves this food matrix and makes it practical as a capsule, without you having to eat fresh oysters.
It gets interesting because the oyster provides more than zinc. It is one of the few foods that contains zinc and selenium together in notable amounts (plus copper and vitamin B12) – four micronutrients from a single natural source.
Zinc, copper, selenium and B12: what the nutrients do
Zinc, copper, selenium and vitamin B12 each have clearly defined roles in the body. Authorised health claims exist for all four (*Authorised health claims under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012):
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 normal functioning of the nervous system
- contributes to normal red blood cell formation
With a natural oyster extract you get all four micronutrients from one single food instead of several isolated compounds.
Oyster extract or a synthetic zinc supplement?
A synthetic zinc supplement provides an isolated zinc salt – a single compound, often combined with acidifiers and anti-caking agents. A genuine oyster extract, by contrast, delivers zinc in its natural context, just as it occurs in food. For anyone who prefers to get nutrients from a real food rather than from the lab, that is the decisive difference.
Who is Pure Oyster Extract for?
The extract is suitable for anyone who wants to cover their zinc, selenium, copper and B12 intake from a natural source – especially with increased needs, a diet low in animal products or as part of a conscious, nutrient-dense lifestyle. As a taste-neutral capsule, this natural zinc supplement fits easily into everyday life, without having to enjoy fresh oysters.