Zinc Health Benefits

Benefits Of Zinc Supplements

One of the most well known aphrodisiacs, the oyster, is also one of the best natural sources of zinc.

In this article we will have a look at some of the health benefits associated with zinc.

What Does Zinc Do?

Zinc is very important for the reproductive organs, as without sufficient zinc men won’t be able to produce enough sperm and may become infertile.

If this deficiency is combined with a selenium deficiency, it can lead to an enlargement of the prostate and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Zinc is also important for speeding up wound healing and boosting your body’s natural defenses against infection.

How Much Zinc Do You Need?

The RDA for zinc is 7mg for women and 9.5mg for men. If you are taking zinc supplements it is common to find them as 15-25mg tablets.

Where Do You Get Zinc?

Meat, shellfish, fish, cheese and eggs are all excellent sources of zinc. Zinc is also found in wholemeal bread, nuts and some vegetables.

However it should be noted that it is harder for the body to absorb zinc from these sources due to the presence of chemicals such as phytates and oxalic acid, so it is better to get zinc from animal products.

Who Needs Zinc Supplements?

The body doesn’t store zinc which means it has no supplies to draw upon to compensate for fluctuating zinc levels in the body.

As a result it is important for people who do not get much zinc in their diet, such as vegans or vegetarians, to supplement with zinc.

Women taking contraceptive pills, or anyone with long term antibiotic or antidepressant use, would also benefits from supplementing with extra zinc as all of these can cause a zinc deficiency.