When we think of essential minerals for our health, ZINC may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, zinc plays a crucial role in many bodily functions and has been shown to have a significant impact on TESTOSTERONE levels. In this short blog, we’ll briefly explore the importance of zinc and how it affects our overall health and fitness.
Food
Firstly, it’s important to note that zinc can be found in food such as fish, shellfish (especially oysters), nuts, and legumes. Unfortunately, the soil in which our vegetables are grown has been depleted of minerals, including zinc, which is why it has become increasingly more difficult to get ample amounts of zinc from food these days. For this reason, we may need to add zinc supplementation to our diet in addition to food. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for zinc is 10mg, but research suggests that increasing dosage closer to 40mg, particularly if you train hard, might be more sufficient. It’s also important to complement zinc with selenium to ensure optimal absorption.
Testosterone
One of the key ways in which zinc affects our muscle-building process is by improving androgenic receptor sensitivity. Androgenic receptors must be able to receive testosterone for it to have an impact on muscle growth and hypertrophy. Zinc has been shown to improve receptor sensitivity, which means that testosterone can better support muscle building; it has also been shown to improve serum testosterone levels, which is especially important for men looking to build muscle and improve their athletic performance.
Zinc Storage
Another important aspect of zinc is that the body has no real way to store it for long-term purposes, so it needs to be replenished constantly. Zinc affects transcription factors, which play a role in cell breakdown or building. All classes of enzymatic classes are affected by zinc, including ligases, lyases, hydrolases, isomerases, oxide reductases, and transferases. It’s worth noting that the level of zinc in your blood doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not deficient in zinc. Your cells may not be using zinc efficiently, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency.
Signs & Symptoms of Deficiency
Hair loss is a common sign of zinc deficiency because your body starves cells of zinc, and since hair cells regenerate quickly, your body shifts cells from going there.Muscle weight loss is another sign of zinc deficiency, as intestinal cells are not functioning well, leading to a leaky gut. Your body may shuttle zinc from those cells to immune cells, and diarrhea is a byproduct. Loss of taste is also an indicator of zinc deficiency because your body shifts cells from your taste buds to other areas that are more necessary.
Final Thoughts
Zinc is a crucial mineral for our overall health and fitness. It affects testosterone levels, androgenic receptor sensitivity, and transcription factors, all of which play a role in muscle building and hypertrophy. While it’s important to supplement our diet with zinc-rich foods, we may need to consider zinc supplementation to ensure we are getting enough of this essential mineral. If you experience any signs or symptoms of zinc deficiency, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.
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