Zinc, an essential trace mineral, plays a crucial role in maintaining men’s health. It actively participates in numerous functions and reactions in the body, including immune system function, synthesis of DNA and protein, cell metabolism, wound healing, cell division, proper sense of smell and taste, and proper growth. Despite its wide-reaching activities, the body only needs a small amount of zinc, around 11 mg daily for men. The body has no special storage system for zinc, making it necessary to replenish it daily.
Low levels of zinc or zinc deficiency is associated with greater susceptibility to illness and disease and loss of appetite, while severe cases can lead to diarrhea, impotence, eye and skin lesions, hair loss, weight loss, taste abnormalities, mental fogginess, delayed wound healing, and hypogonadism.
Foods Rich in Zinc
The main food associated with zinc is oyster, which provides nearly 500 percent of the recommended daily allowance per three-ounce serving. Other excellent and good sources include crab, fortified cereals, cashews, peanuts, chickpeas, kidney beans, baked beans, toasted wheat germ, and chicken.
Supplements are also available in various types, including zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc chelate, zinc picolinate, and zinc sulfate. Zinc chelate, in particular, allows for easy absorption.
Benefits of Zinc for Men
- Promotes brain health: Zinc is found in high concentrations in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and learning. It has been shown that zinc is critical for a process called long-term potentiation, which is important for memory and learning. Sufficient zinc levels help protect against serious brain diseases such as schizophrenia, Pick’s disease, Wilson’s disease, epileptic seizures, and alcoholism.
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Great for heart health: Zinc’s anti-inflammatory properties, along with its antioxidant characteristics, are beneficial for reducing risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that supplementation with zinc gluconate can have a positive impact on factors associated with atherosclerosis.
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Increases free testosterone: Zinc supplementation can boost both total and free testosterone levels. Studies have shown that zinc has an important role in affecting testosterone levels in men.
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Boosts sexual health and libido: The role of zinc in sexual health and libido is partly related to its impact on testosterone. The boost in testosterone levels associated with zinc supplementation can lead to enhanced sexual health and sex drive.
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Great for athletic endurance and energy: Zinc facilitates the conversion of energy in food into energy for work and physical function to enhance physical performance. Insufficient zinc is associated with reductions in endurance, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory function.
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Promotes better prostate health: Zinc plays a vital role in maintaining prostate health. In fact, the presence of zinc appears to help suppress prostate tumor growth. Studies have shown that zinc can help prevent malignancy by creating an environment that is toxic to prostate cancer cells.
Men over 40 should consider zinc supplementation for various reasons, including maintaining healthy prostate tissue zinc levels. Evaluate your diet and supplement regimen for zinc intake and consider taking a supplement containing zinc and other ingredients that support and promote men’s health.
