What is zinc, and why does our body need it in order to maintain proper health and well-being? Well, the primary answer is that this element is integral in the chain of events that comprises human cellular metabolism. This is one reason why so many Americans take vitamin supplements containing zinc.

Another answer comes courtesy of a professor at the University of Toronto, Scarborough. Chemist Xiao-an Zhang recently performed an experiment with researchers at Duke University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to see how zinc helps maintain brain health.

To do so, the team had to create a chemical called ZX1, which binds to zinc and prevents it from moving between neurons. Researchers found that, without the element at its disposal, the hippocampus – an area of the brain responsible for memory – has trouble strengthening the connections between its neurons.

This phenomenon appears to impair memory, the group concluded.

The Office of Dietary Supplements states that zinc is necessary for all sorts of cell-level reactions. In particular, it helps support immune health, protein creation, cellular division and a sharp sense of taste and smell, the agency explains.