zinc info

Zinc! Not much is written about this super supplement. You won't see any big
ads for zinc. Why? Because you can purchase zinc supplements just about
anywhere, for just a few dollars a bottle. Dollar for dollar your won't find
more bang for your buck. Zinc is a must for serious trainers, and for
general health as well.

Testosterone, the most effective anabolic our bodies naturally produce, is
known to be closely interrelated with zinc. Although much study still needs
to be done, it appears that zinc, at the cellular level, may govern
testosterone metabolism. It is also thought to control the metabolism of
testosterone in the prostate, which is one of the organs most proliferant in
zinc.

A major indicator of this is in zinc's effects on male potency and sex
drive. Moderate deficiency can lead to regression of the sex glands in men,
and just a mild deficiency causes a low sperm count. (Zinc has been shown to
be useful in the prevention and treatment of male infertility.) Low zinc
levels are shown to lead to decreased sex drive, cause a loss of appetite
and even emotional problems. Double blind studies have shown that
supplemental zinc can increase blood levels of testosterone and the
follicle-stimulating hormone in men with just very mildly deficient zinc
levels -- and most people, when tested, are shown to be defficent. Trainers,
let me repeat, males, with just mild zinc deficiency, will increase their
plasma levels of testosterone with supplementation! This is a clearly proven
medical fact! For about 25 cents a week you can take what may be the most
powerful legal and natural 'anabolic' supplement.

Very little zinc is present in the 'modern' diet. Zinc is now almost non -
existent in crop land, so foods which use to contain high levels of zinc no
longer do. Also, if you are taking 'multiple' supplements that have zinc
included, these are probably doing very little good. The type of Zinc
included in these supplements, and added to some food products, is absorbed
very little, if any, by the body. No - you do not have to by some 'special'
Zinc supplement - the 'good' kind can be found at just about any grocery
store, or anywhere else that sells supplements, and it's very cheap.
(See recommendations at the end of this article.)

Another aspect of zinc, important to trainers, is it's role in glucose
tolerance. Zinc is closely 'involved' with insulin. In test with rats, when
zinc is removed from their diet, glucose intolerance develops. In (human)
studies, of diabetics, it has been shown that many have problems absorbing
zinc, and over excrete it as well. The reasons for this are as yet unknown
but indicate a possible link.

Yet another important fact for trainers is the effect of zinc on wound
healing. In one study on a group of patients recovering from wounds, one
group received 150 milligrams of zinc daily, and a control group received no
supplemental zinc. The group that received the zinc were completely healed
in 46 days. The control group took eighty days for complete healing. This is
important to weight trainers, as this type of training causes 'damage' which
requires 'healing' for muscles to grow larger or stronger.

Additional research has also shown that zinc is essential for cell-mediated
immunity, may help to inhibit several types of cancer, including prostate,
and is useful in preventing, (not curing), the common cold. Zinc appears to
help prevent a vision loss in the elderly called macular degeneration, and
zinc even plays a role in taste and smell. There is some evidence that zinc
may have anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Zinc plays an important role in a number of other bodily functions as well,
and is being studied for it possible use in preventing, or curing, a number
of other maladies as well.

COLDS: Zinc

RECOMMENDATIONS: The RDAs for zinc are: 15 milligrams for men, 12 for women,
3 for infants, 10 for children ages 1 to 10, 15 for pregnant women and 16 to
19 for those nursing.

Older people may require higher amounts as our ability to absorb zinc
decreases with age.

Athletes may require more as sweating can cause a significant loss. Those on
diets may have an increased need as well.

It is generally agreed and recommended that adults, especially athletes,
take 30 milligrams daily. Many people take up to 50 milligrams a day, and
this is considered safe, but higher levels than this are not recommended and
could have adverse effects on health.

It is a good idea to take supplement copper whenever zinc is taken, about 1
milligram of copper for every 10 of zinc. It is also suggested that you take
50 to 200 micrograms of selenium as well.

The best food sources of zinc include brewers yeast and wheat brand or germ
(this may be the reason that many bodybuilders have had good results with
these), whole grains and, of course, oysters.

Supplemental zinc can be bought individually, is sold by most companies, and
is 'cheap'. Amino acid chelates of zinc may be a little better than others
but can be expensive - the 'cheap' stuff should be just as effective. Stay
away from zinc sulfate as this can cause stomach irritation. Zinc gluconate
is a good type, and is absorbed well. The types of zinc used in many
multi-supplements are often absorbed poorly, if at all. This is partly due
to the fact that most 'compressed' supplements are poorly absorbed, some not
at all.

Reference Material: Ann. Intern. Med., Br. J. Derm., Drugs Under
Experimental and Clinical Research, J. Am. Med. Assoc., J.N.C.I.,
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Fed. Proc., Am. J. Clin. Nutr..

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