Yesterday's article of a local newspaper "Zinc:  Essential mineral that helps protect you from the flu" was a bit relief over swine flu scare.  The article discussed  that dietary zinc deficiency is prevalent in third world because majority of the population consumes mainly cereals.  Zinc is essential to  the development of immune cells and this can be  found in most food  especially meat,  shellfish and legumes. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc. 

   It's quite confusing.  We were taught to go on diet but vegetarians who avoid meat and dairy products can also be victims of mild zinc deficiency.  I guess the  word  BALANCE  is always tough.