Zinc: A Multifuctional Player in Health

Cedric D. Wing, BSc
Director of Educational Services
Bio Health Enhancement Consultants Ltd.

In a day when we are becoming more aware of toxic environmental metals and the risk to health that they present, we need also to appreciate that some metals, or minerals as they are also called, are profound to good health. Zinc is one of those metals or minerals that is required by the body, like iron, chromium, selenium, magnesium, copper, calcium and others.

Zinc is a very active mineral in human metabolism. It works by binding to and activating over 200 enzymes. Enzymes are the indispensable "executives" of life and health, implementing the genetic code for a wide variety of metabolism and producing vibrant healthy bodies when optimal nutrition is supplied. To the degree that zinc is depleted from our cells, normal zinc-related health support is compromised. In his book, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Dr. Michael T. Murray lists some of the more salient health problems associated with zinc depletion including impaired immune function, prostate enlargement, male infertility, various kinds of psychiatric illness (including depression), insomnia, behavioral problems, delayed wound healing, anorexia, a diminished or loss sense of smell and/or taste, night blindness, macular degeneration, skin stretch marks, susceptibility to acne, chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatory arthritis, and possibly an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease, and many more.

You may not recognize any of these conditions in yourself, of if you do, zinc depletion quite likely is not the only contributing factor in compromised health. The recommendations for zinc and other mineral supplementation are usually offered to avoid full-blown depletion and the unseen progression towards problematic health. Having and keeping good health requires proactive nutrition, and zinc is so important to so many biological systems that it probably deserves to be on our list of supplements. Unless you eat oysters on a regular basis, with its approximate 150 mg of zinc per 100 gram serving (3.5 ounces), standard dietary patterns may not deliver an optimal daily amount. Many nutrition experts will recommend 20 to 60 mg per day, preferably in divided doses, even though the RDA is 15mg. The older we become, the more we have to compensate for failing absorption. The best way to encourage optimal absorption, is to use zinc citrate or some other organic chelate besides citrate. Chelates are organic molecules that grip metals and facilitate their absorption. Avoid depending on zinc oxide as your zinc source, typically found in multiple vitamin and mineral products. Oxides of minerals are the least reliable form of mineral supplementation for encouraging absorption.

One area that warrants special focus is the prevention of benign prostate enlargement. Most men will encounter this problem if they live long enough. The prostate gland has the highest concentration of zinc compared to all other tissues in the male body, revealing its profound participation in prostate metabolism. Prostate enlargement is thought to occur as a result of an exaggerated formation of dihydrotestosterone, a less discussed hormone that is normally in the prostate gland at low levels. This derivative of testosterone is considerably more potent than is testosterone for causing prostate gland cells to multiply. The enlargement of the prostate is due to just too many gland cells being produced over time, a condition called hyperplacia. Zinc inhibits the exaggerated formation of dihydrotestosterone. In most men 40 years old and upward, it makes sense to supplement zinc at least by 20 to 30 mg per day. If you are now suffering from prostate enlargement, be sure to use zinc daily, even if you are using a medication to reduce your prostate's enlargement. There is not an expected adverse interaction with Proscar™ and zinc, but for newer medications ask your pharmacist or physician if there is a potential problem with zinc supplementation before proceeding. Saw palmetto is also an effective herb for reducing prostate enlargement, but herbal intervention should be secondary to nutritional intervention, or they can be used together. Your body is programmed to look for zinc in your diet and utilize it in your body where it is lacking. Using zinc supplementation over time may make it possible to discontinue Saw palmetto or pharmaceutical medications, which might also present unwanted adverse side effects.

The safety of zinc is well known. Using more than 60mg per day would provide no greater benefit unless, warranted by a medical need. A daily amount of 150mg for a prolonged period is associated with toxicity. The toxic effects include copper-deficiency anemia, reduced levels of the "good" or HDL-cholesterol, and depressed immune function. On an empty stomach, zinc supplements may cause nausea. Do not use with antibiotics that bind to zinc, take them separated by 3 hours or as directed by your pharmacist. Zinc competes with copper for absorption, so take1 mg of copper for each 20-25 mg of zinc. Copper is available in multiple vitamin products or separately, but avoid depending on copper oxide. There are some brands that offer zinc and copper in this approximate ratio, in the citrate or other chelated forms.

The preceding information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that should be interpreted and managed by a qualified health care provider.

Article written by Cedric D. Wing, BSc. www.healthenhancer.net