Zinc is a mineral that is present in every part of the body. It has a wide range of functions. It helps with the healing of wounds and is a vital component of many enzyme reactions. Zinc is vital for the healthy working of many of the body's systems including testosterone production. It is particularly important for healthy skin and is essential for a healthy immune system and resistance to infection.
Since the male sex organ uses up more zinc than any other part of the body, it's no wonder that a zinc deficiency can cause men to suffer from sexual performance problems, especially since the majority of the population consumes diets that are deficient in zinc.
Very simply, the reason for today's zinc deficiency is soil depletion. The plants we eat extract zinc from the soil, yet commercial fertilizers don't replace this essential mineral. As a result, decades of farming have removed almost all zinc from the soil.
Zinc Deficiency can have a disastrous effect on our sexual health. Here are just two examples:
- Zinc deficiency in children causes delayed sexual development, according to studies done by Dr. S.Z. Ghavami at the Pediatric Department of New York's Nassau County Medical center.
- Dr. U. Mehta reported in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology that clinical tests showed sperm-producing organs of animals shrank dramatically when the animals were fed diets that were lacking in zinc.
There is overwhelming proof that when zinc is added to a deficient diet, sexual performance begins to improve:
- Dr. S.K. Mahajan reported that the testosterone levels of men rise dramatically with zinc supplementation.
- In a clinical study published in the medical journal Andrologia, Dr. H.G. Kynaston showed that infertile men who were given zinc supplements for four to eight weeks produced more sperm. Imagine being able to increase your vigorthis easily.
At the University of Virginia Medical School, Dr. Alan Judd found that zinc supplementation stops the pituitary gland from producing prolactin. This is critically important, because prolaction is more than just the substance responsible for prostate enlargement. It also lowers testosterone by converting it into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is harmful to the prostate.
For both men and women 15 mg provides the minimum amount required by the RDA. This amount can normally be found in a good Multi-Vitamin. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
Zinc Supplement can inhibit the absorption and availability of copper. If more than 50 mg of Zinc Supplement is taken daily, 2 mg of Copper Supplement should also be taken to prevent deficiency.
Potential Side Effects
Excess zinc is toxic. Too much zinc will interfere with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, particularly iron and copper. Symptoms of zinc toxicity occur after ingestion of 1g to 2g or more and include nausea, vomiting and fever.