By Joel Pelissier, MD
Zinc is an essential mineral and has a multitude of biological roles because it is a functional component of over 300 enzymes that rely on zinc to be able to catalyze chemical reactions. Zinc also participates in the structure of important proteins and is involved in the regulation of gene expression.
Zinc is obtained from the diet. Oysters contain substantially more zinc than any other food, although red meat (e.g., beef, pork) and poultry provide the majority of zinc in the American diet. Other good sources of zinc are legumes, nuts, and dairy products. In some countries, the flour used in cereals are fortified with zinc.
The potential benefits derived from supplementation with zinc seem to be at least partly attributable to zinc’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce the duration of respiratory tract infections and the common cold.
Adequate dietary intake of zinc is essential for proper growth and development during pregnancy and throughout infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Additionally, zinc is required for normal development, activity, and function of both innate and adaptive immune cells; proper function of pancreatic beta-cells and glucose uptake; and spermatogenesis and normal sperm physiology (e.g., sperm motility).
In the brain, zinc ions inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which is relevant to depression because this condition is characterized by elevated glutamatergic neurotransmission (to which NMDA receptors contribute). Zinc may also benefit depression by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.
In addition to its role in numerous metabolic activities, zinc specifically exerts beneficial effects on men’s health and plays an active role in spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and male fertility in addition to preserving serum levels of free and total testosterone. Both chronic/excessive exercise as well as zinc deficiency are associated with abnormally low testosterone concentrations, and in these states supplementation of zinc increases testosterone. Free testosterone follows the same trends as testosterone and may be increased following supplementation in persons who are deficient in zinc
A double-blind study involving 10 participants of both sexes with healthy weight and an age span of 18 to 29 over a period of 2-4 weeks revealed that supplementation of 3mg/kg zinc sulphate daily to sedentary persons who are subject to cycling can prevent the reductions seen in circulating androgens and thyroid hormones that occurred with placebo treatment.
A double-blind study lasting 2-4 weeks involving 10 trained male participants with age range 13-17, 18-29 revealed that zinc supplementation of 3mg/kg zinc sulfate to elite wrestlers was able to preserve circulating testosterone and thyroid hormone concentrations, which declined in placebo due to the exhaustive workload.
A double-blind study lasting 1-6 months involving 37 male participants of age range 18-39 and 30-44 was done. In a group of infertile men, supplemental zinc was able to increase circulating dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in all subjects. However, only when the group was divided into men with testosterone below a certain threshold (4.8ng/mL) and above were there modifications in testosterone, fertility, and sperm count; ultimately, men with infertility associated with low circulating testosterone beneficially responded to zinc supplementation.
Oral supplementation remains one of the best ways to obtain an adequate supply of Zinc, an often-deficient nutrient in our modern-day diet. FireRx Reloaded, our men’s health supplement, provides 30 mg of elemental zinc per serving in chelated form for better absorption to improve energy levels, boost testosterone and the immune system, preserve fertility, and improve athletic performance. In addition to Zinc Fire Rx Reloaded contains Eurycoma Longifolia (Tongkat Ali), Whithania Somnifera (Ashwagandha), Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), Pine Bark, Resveratrol, Lycopene, Asian Ginseng, Honey, Royal Jelly, Saffron, Vitamin D (From Lichen), and chelated forms of Magnesium, Chromium, and Boron. Thanks to its unique composition FireRx Reloaded boosts testosterone, strengthens the immune system, improves muscle performance, promotes cardiovascular health, preserves lean muscle mass, and exerts antiaging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
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