Zinc: this hard-working mineral is essential for health. Read on to determine who should be taking it.(women and men)

When people think of vitamins and minerals, most focus on whether they're getting enough A, B or C. Too bad. Because zinc is too important to wait until you work through the alphabet to consider it.

This essential mineral is found in almost every cell, stimulates approximately 100 enzymes and plays a role in everything from taste, brain function and smell acuity to immune system support and DNA synthesis. It also protects the liver from chemical damage and is essential for bone formation. Finally, zinc is vital for maintaining the proper concentration of vitamin E (a factor in blood clotting and healing) in the blood.

Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food, but Americans get most of their zinc from red meat and poultry. Other sources include pork, beans, nuts, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products. While severe zinc deficiency is rare in the United States, the elderly, alcoholics and those on strict vegetarian diets can run short. Animal proteins contain more zinc than plant proteins, so vegans may need as much as 50 percent more zinc than omnivores.

The National Academies' Institute of Medicine has set the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc at 11mg per day for men and 8mg per day for women--with a daily maximum of 40mg. So before you ...