Zinc is a trace mineral that is essential to many biological functions. Zinc, a nutrient found throughout your body, helps your immune system and metabolism function. Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. With a varied diet, your body usually gets enough zinc.† Zinc even impacts taste and smell: a zinc deficiency may be noticed by a simple loss of taste and smell. It is important for the function of over 100 special proteins known as enzymes, which are needed to speed up chemical reactions in the body.†