Zinc has been promoted for years as a potential support for the immune system that fights infection. Although there are many other health benefits of zinc supplementation, many people who want to improve their general immune function tend to gravitate towards zinc supplementation.
Zinc is a nutrient found throughout the body, helps your immune system, and aids your metabolism in general. Zinc is also important in wound healing and the sense of taste and smell.
With a varied diet, your body usually gets enough zinc. Dietary sources of zinc include chicken, red meat, and fortified breakfast cereals.
The main problem with zinc absorption is that it can be blocked by supplements such as calcium, iron or magnesium and can interact with other medications such as antibiotics.
What is the best way to take my zinc supplement?
And are there some supplements I should avoid? Finally, how much zinc is too much?
What is the benefit of zinc supplements? Zinc and the immune response.
As mentioned above, zinc is a very important mineral for the immune system. Zinc is thought to help different types of white blood cells better fight infection. Some studies have found that zinc helps reduce the duration and number of viral colds, which are part of the coronavirus family. There is some literature about the synergistic effects of zinc and vitamin C in enhancing the immune response to the common cold. There is ample data on vitamins that help prevent viral infections since the days of polio in the 1940s. Most experts recommend taking some 5 to 15 mg of zinc per day. The Recommended Daily Value (RDV) for zinc for children 1-3 years old is 3 milligrams, and for adults and children over 4 years old, a dose of 11 milligrams is recommended per day. It is accepted that the upper limit of daily intake for an adult male is 40 mg/day and the lower limit is 5 mg/day.
What is the best way to take my zinc supplement?
Zinc, RNA, angiotensin-converting enzyme receptors.
Recently, there are several studies showing that a cellular receptor called ACE that is abundantly available in the adult lung is implicated as a gateway for MERS-CoV to enter the cell. Hence, the virus infects the lungs more commonly and is less common in children who have lower ACE receptors. Zinc appears to be the kind of ingredient that blocks the gateway to the coronavirus. Recent studies also show that zinc can inhibit the enzyme responsible for replicating the genetic code of the coronavirus, also known as ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Zinc deficiency and male sexual function*
Erectile dysfunction can have many factors and is more common in men as they age. However, testosterone is a major factor in providing a healthy erection and low testosterone levels can be associated with zinc deficiency. Zinc is a rare mineral that is found naturally on Earth and can be obtained from foods. However, many men suffer from zinc deficiency and do not know its importance in terms of male sexual health. Zinc deficiency is widespread all over the world, including the USA. Severe and moderate zinc deficiency is associated with hypogonadism (low testosterone) in men. A study conducted by Wayne State University School of Medicine showed that zinc supplementation of normal elderly men with marginal zinc deficiency for six months resulted in increased serum testosterone and libido. Another study evaluated rats that were fed 5 mg of zinc per day and showed an excellent association with erection duration and sexual desire in rats treated with zinc versus a placebo. Zinc supplementation may boost total and free testosterone levels. In a study of elite wrestlers, men took 3 mg/kg/day of zinc for a month along with their normal diet. These are extremely high doses of zinc and should only be done under the supervision of doctors. Total and free testosterone levels were significantly higher after rest and strenuous exercise after zinc supplementation compared to supplementation before.
