During the pandemic, zinc, like vitamin D, has gotten a lot of attention.  Zinc, without a doubt, is needed for optimal immune function.  However, taking high doses leads to copper deficiency.  Before you choose to take a zinc supplement, I hope you will join me in a look at our needs for zinc, food sources of zinc, and how to avoid trading one problem for another.  We will also take a slight detour to investigate plant phytates and some easy things we can do in the kitchen to make plant minerals more absorbable.