What is zinc?
Zinc is a trace element essential for a healthy immune system, being widely involved in proteins, lipids, nucleic acid metabolism and gene transcription, helping in the stimulation of the activity of at least 100 different enzymes.
What is the role of zinc in the body?
Zinc is essential for the normal immune system function, the cell division process and protection of cells against the oxidative stress. It maintains the cognitive function, the health of the bone and circulatory systems, eyesight, hair, nails and skin, and helps in the rapid healing of the wounds.
Zinc is essential for male fertility and for maintaining normal blood testosterone concentrations.
Beyond the molecular nuances of the function, the benefits of zinc are noted in spermatogenesis, embryogenesis and fetal growth.
According to the European Journal of Immunology, the human body needs zinc in the body to activate the T lymphocytes (T cells) which help the body in controlling and regulating the immune responses by attacking the infected cells.
Zinc requirements (recommended dose) are set according to age and gender category as follows:
- Girls and boys over 14: 11 mg/day
- Women over 19 years: 8 mg/day
- Pregnant women over 19: 11 mg/day
- Women over 19, breastfeeding: 12 mg/day
The maximum tolerated dose of zinc for adults over 19 is 40 mg/day.
Because the human body does not store the excess zinc, it must be consumed regularly as part of the diet. Its absorption from natural sources (food) is conditioned by factors such as age, inherited absorption difficulties, use of diuretics, diarrhea, pregnancy, alcoholism, Crohn’s disease, malabsorption of the small intestine, short bowel syndrome, worm infestation, pancreatic insufficiency, strict vegetarian diets and anorexia nervosa.
Also, its absorption decreases with the co-ingestion of phytates (found in legumes, nuts, seeds), calcium and phosphate.
These lead to deficiencies over a long period of time, and the body tries to compensate for the losses by using the small deposits in the bones, liver, brain, hair, skin and nails.
Zinc Benefits For Men – Why It’s Important
Zinc intake is particularly important for men because zinc deficiency is linked to low testosterone levels.
Zinc benefits everyone, but it is particularly important for men because:
- Zinc deficiency lowers the testosterone level in men;
- Higher zinc levels are linked to better prostate health, and zinc in the prostate works as a tumor suppressant;
- Zinc intake is positively correlated with an increased libido.
Zinc interactions with other minerals in the body
Zinc supplements can interact with several types of drugs such as antibiotics, inhibiting both zinc and antibiotic absorption, penicillamine, a drug used to relieve rheumatoid arthritis, and diuretics.
Zinc deficiency and excess
Zinc deficiency can severely affect the function of the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to disease and infection.
Because zinc affects so many of our body systems, there is no single distinct symptom of zinc deficiency. Some of the most common symptoms include: infections, gastrointestinal inflammation, loss or diminished smell and taste, poor wound healing, hair loss, skin roughness/rash, acne, low libido, infertility, thrush, lethargy, deformed nails, diarrhea, weight loss and reduced alertness.
An excess of zinc in the body can affect the body by:
- occurrence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and decreased appetite;
- reduced absorption of other nutrients;
- alteration of iron levels and the lowering of copper levels in the body;
- lowering of HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
Effects and Benefits
- Immunity
- maintains the skin viable as an initial barrier to pathogens;
- zinc mediates the innate immunity with the function of natural killer cells and neutrophils;
- influences the acquired immune system through activation and regulation of T lymphocytes, TH1 cytokine production, B lymphocyte function and antibody production with subsequent formation of the immunoglobulin G;
- macrophages use zinc for phagocytosis, intracellular killing and cytokine production;
- Osseo system.
- Zinc supplement plays an essential role in bone metabolism and mineralization;
- aids in normal skeletal growth and bone homeostasis;
- increases the protein synthetase, which helps protect the health of the bones;
- contributes to the improvement of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms;
- Hair. Skin. Nails.
- helps in wound healing, reducing inflammation and improving inflammatory conditions;
- works with other vitamins and minerals to help relieve the skin damage and reduce the severity of acne and signs of ageing (lines, wrinkles, spots etc.);
- zinc supplement 50 mg helps in collagen synthesis and DNA repair;
- protects the skin from sun damage;
- plays an important role in the growth and repair of hair tissue;
- helps maintain the function of the sebaceous glands around the follicles;
- zinc reduces the hair loss;
- strengthens the nails and accelerates the nail growth.
- Fertility.
- supports fertility by regulating the normal hormonal function, cell division and ovulation;
- plays a role in egg division, fertilization, DNA regulation and embryo development;
- zinc increases the testosterone levels and sperm count;
- significantly increases the sperm volume, sperm motility and the percentage of the normal sperm morphology.
- Liver. Stomach.
- relieves the fatty liver disease;
- decreases liver damage and provides antifibrotic effects in patients with chronic HCV (hepatitis C virus);
- decreases loss of acute-phase immune protection against hepatitis and lipid oxidation;
- essential for intestinal health;
- protects the intestinal barrier and maintains the balance of the intestinal microbiome;
- has a protective effect in chronic exposure to alcohol, heat stress, diarrhea, colitis, other gastrointestinal disorders and even some neurological disorders;
- enhances the effects of other beneficial molecules such as quercetin.
Directions
Zinc 50 mg is indicated for conditions such as:
- zinc deficiency, Wilson’s disease, immune system stimulation, colds, infections, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, swine flu,
- severe head injuries, diseases caused by parasites, macular degeneration, night blindness, cataracts, asthma, diabetes and associated nerve damage;
- high blood pressure;
- AIDS/HIV, AIDS/HIV-related pregnancy complications;
- hyperbilirubinemia, anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, dementia, dry mouth, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
- lack of taste (hypogeusia), hepatic encephalopathy, alcohol-related liver disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,
- inflammatory bowel disease, thrush, gastric ulcer, ulcers at the level of the feet, male infertility, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction (ED),
- osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis,
- warts and muscle cramps in people with liver disease,
- itching, rosacea, hair loss, psoriasis, eczema, acne, a blood disorder called thalassemia,
- Alzheimer’s disease, Down’s syndrome, Hansen’s disease and cystic fibrosis,
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, complications from chemotherapy,
- anemia, pregnancy complications, iron deficiency, arsenic poisoning,
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dysbiosis, clogged arteries, leukemia,
- burns, skin lesions caused by leishmania infection.
Administration
Adults: 1 Zinc tablet every other day, during meals. A box of 60 tablets is sufficient for 120 days.
Duration of administration
3 months, followed by a break of one month, after which the use of the product may be resumed.
Precautions
Zinc may interact with:
– copper absorption, it is recommended to be taken with a copper supplement.
– Zinc should not be taken within 2 hours of certain antibiotics (quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics).
The dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle! Do not exceed the recommended daily intake! Keep out of reach and sight of small children!
Active ingredients/tablet:
| Zinc gluconate | |
|---|---|
| Maximum daily intake / 1 tablet provides 50 mg Zinc/500% NRV; NRV – Nutrient Reference Value according to Regulation 1169/2011). It contains no allergens. Zero calories. |
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