Zinc

Zinc, an essential mineral, plays a pivotal role in producing and regulating several hormones, including testosterone, and it fortifies the immune system.*

1. Zinc is required to produce and regulate several hormones, including testosterone.
2. Zinc is vital in developing male sex organs, as individuals with a deficiency often have underdeveloped testes and low sperm counts.
3. Zinc plays a significant role in prostatic-fluid production.
4. Zinc helps to achieve and maintain an erection. (Oysters are rich in the mineral, which helps explain the mollusk's reputation as an aphrodisiac.)
5. Zinc acts as a potent aromatase inhibitor, blocking the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Are You Zinc Deficient?

Besides muscle, strength, and performance declines associated with low zinc, here are other signs of a possible zinc deficiency:

• Thinning hair
• Poor sleep
• Low sex drive
• Allergy-like symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Weakened immunity (easy to catch a cold or flu)

1. Hunt CD et al. Effects of dietary zinc depletion on seminal volume and zinc loss, serum testosterone concentrations, and sperm morphology in young men. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992 Jul;56(1):148-57. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/56.1.148.
2. Farahzadi R et al. Zinc sulfate contributes to promote telomere length extension via increasing telomerase gene expression, telomerase activity and change in the TERT gene promoter CpG island methylation status of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. PLoS One. 2017 Nov 16;12(11):e0188052. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188052. eCollection 2017.
3. Nemoto K. et al. Modulation of telomerase activity by zinc in human prostatic and renal cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000 Feb 15;59(4):401-5. doi: 10.1016/s0006-2952(99)00334-2.
4. Prasad AS et al. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996 May;12(5):344-8. doi: 10.1016/s0899-9007(96)80058-x.
5. Dissanayake DMAB et al. Effects of zinc supplementation on sexual behavior of male rats. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2009 Jul-Dec; 2(2): 57–61. doi: 10.4103/0974-1208.57223.

ZMA

6. Brilla L et al. Effects of a Novel Zinc-Magnesium Formulation on Hormones and Strength. Journal of Exercise Physiology (online). 3(4): 26-36, 2000.
7. Wilborn CD et al. Effects of Zinc Magnesium Aspartate (ZMA) Supplementation on Training Adaptations and Markers of Anabolism and Catabolism. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2004; 1(2): 12–20. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-1-2-12