Zinc Benefits | What is Zinc Good For?

zinc benefits

Benefits of Zinc

The human body needs many nutrients to grow and remain healthy. For these there are some minerals as well that are vital to the body. There are many minerals that are important to the human body. There are some zinc benefits for men and there are some zinc benefits for men. Zinc is a vital mineral that is required by the body. Unlike many other minerals zinc is found in almost all parts of the body as it is present in the cells. Not very far behind Iron, which is the most abundant mineral in human body.

There are many bodily functions that include digestion, conduction of the nerves and also helps the immune system of the body, as well as assisting in the senses of smell and taste and healing the wounds of the body. Other functions supported by Zinc are inability of the body to produce proteins out of which DNA can be generated. Development of children especially in terms of growth and advancement. Additionally, there is also evidence of it being an antioxidant. An antioxidant is a substance that slows the ageing of things, by preventing or slowing the damage of ageing. This is done through the destruction of free radicals.

Body Requirement

Since it is required by the human body, and is not produced in the body, generally these nutrients have to be taken through food sources. These food sources may be as diverse as beans, meat, chicken and fortified cereals or even through supplements. Especially through supplements, if diet does not contain enough zinc nutrient.

Benefits of Zinc Sexually

Zinc has several potential benefits for sexual health in both men and women:

  1. Testosterone production: Zinc plays a role in the production of testosterone, a hormone important for sexual function in men.
  2. Sperm quality: Zinc is essential for sperm production and has been shown to improve sperm count and motility.
  3. Prostate health: Zinc has been linked to improved prostate health and may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
  4. Erectile dysfunction: Zinc deficiency has been associated with erectile dysfunction, and supplementing with zinc may improve sexual function in men with ED.
  5. Fertility: Zinc plays a role in ovulation and fertilization and may improve fertility in women.

It’s important to note that while zinc supplementation can have potential benefits for sexual health, it is not a guarantee and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. Additionally, it’s best to consult with a doctor before starting any supplementation regimen, as too much zinc can lead to adverse effects.

Zinc and Testosterone

There are have different researches conducted to find the relationship between zinc and testosterone. And it has been found recently that zinc and testosterone levels are inter-related. There are some links between zinc and people consider zinc as testosterone booster. These might be the benefits of zinc sexually. Zinc supplements can help increase testosterone levels in males as well as zinc supplements can also help increase levels in females. There are some reviews that also show a negative relationship of fertility and low levels of zinc.

Zinc and Testosterone in Females

There are many zinc benefits for women. Taking Zinc regularly, studies have shown keeps levels of testosterone in plasma increased in women. Zinc and testosterone in females are related that is it related with increased plasma levels of testosterone. This little micronutrient works in the favor of testosterone as opposed to estrogen and that leads to more virility and arousal. Taking more zinc may lead to higher testosterone levels.

Zinc benefits for skin

There are some evidences found for zinc and hormonal acne and its relationship. Not only that it can reduce the soreness and the redness caused by hormonal acne including cases of mild to moderate or moderate to severe acne. Zinc benefits for skin are not only limited to reducing the symptoms but also the scars or appearance of such acne scars. There is evidence of zinc for skin healing, and not only acne, but in cases of wounds there have been cases reported with improvement in healing with wounds with elevated levels of zinc. This is because of the importance of zinc as a micronutrient in the different processes of wound healing. So not only zinc has a role in wound healing but also has benefits for skin. And this is evidenced in multiple occasions by multiple authors.

Can Zinc Help with Hormonal Acne

There are many evidences that conclude that answer the question that can zinc help with hormonal acne. People taking supplemental zinc that may be through topical application or through an oral supplement find improvement in skin and acne. Although high amounts of zinc in the body can be harmful but application of topical lotions that may contain zinc can bring about the small amounts needed by the skin and body.

Zinc Benefits for Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is some evidence present that shows in inflammatory conditions like some chronic disorders for example Rheumatoid Arthritis zinc may have a positive role in improving symptoms. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease characterized by inflamed joints typically appearing deformed. And this deformation occurs in a symmetrical pattern. In worse cases the disease may also affect additional organ systems. But Zinc benefits for rheumatoid arthritis is documented, and show that improved zinc levels in the body may alleviate the symptoms of this disease or moreover improve the condition.

Zinc Effects in Diarrhea

The benefits of Zinc in diarrhea are such that all medical societies or even the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking it in the condition. Diarrhea is a condition that when the body is unable to retain food and water. Typically, this condition is characterized by multiple watery stools. A common risk is of dehydration, in such a condition. Often considered a serious situation in children especially in those regions where malnutrition is common.

In such places where malnutrition is endemic, children are often undernourished and diarrhea poses fatal outcomes. In such places, it has been shown in multiple instances that taking zinc orally reduces the severity of diarrhea especially in children. Since it is believed a zinc deficiency can result in severe diarrhea and replacement may help reduce it in children affected by it in such regions.

Effect of Zinc in Vision

With age, the eyes’ ability of vision decreases, this is related to the macular changes or degeneration which is age related and not related to any disease. This causes vision loss, and creates issues with the quality of life in individuals with such changes. Taking zinc is said to have helped in vision and also helped in the sensory perception of vision in the eyes on a place called retina. Retina is responsible for the sensation of vision. Zinc may help in retaining this function and if not prevent but delay the progression of such degeneration which is age related.

Zinc Side Effects

Zinc although is generally held safe but as we all know that too much of a good thing can also be harmful. There is an optimum level of zinc in the body according to the mass of the individuals. Varying from optimum levels usually cause issues. As in deficiency such a situation can be harmful, higher levels can also be cause issues which should be avoided. As evidenced, if Zinc is taken in high doses for a longer period of time it may cause issues like neurological issues for example weakness and numbness in the peripheries. Although zinc relieves diarrhea; in higher quantities zinc can cause indigestion, nausea or vomiting and in some cases diarrhea as well. It can cause lower levels of copper in the body, which may be reason for neurological issues. The best zinc supplement would be a zinc supplement which is not more than 40 mg per day. Anything beyond 40 mg carries a risk of higher dosage of zinc and which may cause issues that are not intended when taking such a supplement of zinc. There are types of zinc supplements available in the market. Some are available in different forms for example nasal or oral type. Physicians should be consulted for the optimum doses of this micronutrient.