Zinc is a crucial element for men’s health and is present in large concentrations in the male prostate. The body doesn’t produce zinc, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements. This mineral is essential for immune function, healthy cell growth, healing, and development, and has a significant role in maintaining prostate health, sexual health, and testosterone levels. Below are five reasons why men need zinc.
Zinc For Prostate Health
Zinc plays a vital role in promoting prostate health. Men who are deficient in zinc may be more susceptible to infections and prostatitis, an inflammatory condition of the prostate. Studies have shown that men who consumed more than 15 mg of zinc daily through a supplement experienced a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Zinc is recommended for men undergoing a prostate biopsy because it promotes prostate health and can fight infection possibly caused by the biopsy. Furthermore, men concerned about an enlarged prostate may also benefit from zinc. A study by Oregon State University found that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cells and prostate cancer cells are affected by zinc. When these cells were treated with zinc, BPH cells showed sensitivity to the anti-proliferative effects. This implies that zinc may play an important role in regulating cell growth and apoptosis in prostate cancer and hyperplasia cells.
Zinc For Sexual Health
Oysters, often thought of as an aphrodisiac, have a high zinc content and could be one of the main reasons for their reputation. Zinc influences a man’s fertility, sex drive, and long-term sexual health, and taking zinc supplements can increase testosterone production.
As men age, testosterone levels naturally begin to decline, which may result in low libido and erectile dysfunction, among other effects of low testosterone. Zinc can help balance hormones like testosterone and promote prostate and sexual health.
Zinc For Slowing Down The Balding Process
A lack of zinc in the diet can result in sudden hair loss. Zinc promotes hair growth by improving the immune system’s function. Although hair loss can be due to mineral deficiencies and heredity, a regular amount of zinc can slow down the balding process.
Zinc For Thyroid Health
Thyroid hormones have several crucial roles in the body, affecting metabolism, development, and even body temperature. Zinc is a key mineral that helps maintain proper thyroid function by producing thyroid-releasing hormones in the brain. These hormones signal the pituitary gland to start making thyroid-stimulating hormone. If a man’s zinc levels are low, he may not be able to produce enough of these hormones, which can also affect testosterone levels and cause symptoms of low testosterone.
Zinc As An Antioxidant
Zinc can contribute to cell repair as an important antioxidant. Our cells can get damaged from various activities, like strenuous exercise or yard work. Zinc helps build and repair damaged cells that have broken down, helping muscles grow back bigger and stronger.
In addition to cell repair, zinc promotes immune function that fights illnesses, such as the common cold, and heals skin wounds.
Getting Enough Zinc
Foods high in zinc include oysters (which are exceptionally high in zinc), other seafood, beef, poultry, fortified cereals, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cremini mushrooms, and low-fat yogurt. However, it is essential for men trying to prevent prostate cancer cell growth to avoid eating red meat and dairy. They can obtain zinc through prostate supplements for men’s health, especially formulations designed to promote prostate health.
Zinc citrate is more bioavailable than the commonly found, less-expensive zinc sulfate. The recommended daily allowance for adult males is 11 mg. Avoid supplements that provide significantly more zinc, as there can be negative health risks associated with too much zinc.
