How Vitamin D Could Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Through the same receptors associated with vitamin Ds impact on insulin secretion, vitamin D stimulates receptors that affect insulin sensitivity. Through a complicated physiological process, the interaction and binding with these receptors actually increase the number of total insulin receptors present in the body.
Its also believed that vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity by activating other receptors that help regulate the metabolism of fatty acids within muscle and body fat.
Like vitamin Ds relationship with calcium and insulin secretion, calciums presence is essential for both muscle and fats response to insulin, enabling the uptake of insulin and glucose. Without calcium, this cannot happen. And without vitamin D, there is no calcium.
The Relationship Between Zinc And Low Testosterone Level
Zinc is a vital dietary mineral needed for the proper functioning of your immune system and cell division. Zinc aids enzymes in breaking down of food molecules and other nutrients, and it aids the enzymes that build protein.
Our body isnt capable of synthesizing zinc therefore, we need a substantial amount of zinc in food form. Zinc can be found in certain foods and even in some supplements.
Having low testosterone may result in a deficiency in zinc. Research hasnt exactly shown the full effectiveness of zinc to low testosterone, but a particular study showed that men who received zinc supplements had an increase in testosterone levels.
Taking too much zinc can also be harmful to your body, and toxicity can occur when you take more than 40 milligrams per day. Its important to know that while adequate intake of zinc would help achieve optimal testosterone level, it would not supercharge your testosterone.
How Much Zinc Is Too Much Zinc
Signs and symptoms of zinc overdose
While overdosing on zinc is not common, and no reports of toxicity have been documented through the intake of dietary zinc, it is possible to overdose on supplemental zinc. Individuals who consume high supplemental amounts of zinc, typically over 100mg/day, may experience nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal or epigastric pain and flu-like symptoms after acute digestion. Although quite rare, there have been documented cases of intestinal bleeding and gut erosion with zinc intake above 200mg.
Acute effects: Nausea and vomiting
These are two of the most common symptoms reported with high zinc intake, since zinc is absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. Most reported cases of nausea and vomiting are documented at doses of 100-150 mg and upwards.
Very high doses of zinc, above 225 mg daily, are considered emetics, which means they trigger vomiting, usually quickly. For some individuals, doses at or above 50 mg may trigger nausea most notably. If you think you have taken an excessive amount of zinc or have become ill following zinc ingestion, please seek medical help immediately.
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Can Zinc And Vitamin C Be Taken Together
There are so many people out there who are taking multiple vitamins and minerals together without knowing their pros and cons. They consider supplementation as a task and so, in order to get rid of it, they take everything together. This is not a good thing. Public Health Expert and Dietitian Swati Bathwal explain that the composition and solubility of a nutrient should be taken into consideration when making combinations. Unless a nutrient isnt optimally absorbed, it wont provide any benefit to your body. Besides, the time of the day these are taken also affects absorption in some cases.
Absorption is the key factor for any supplement. Mixing two supplements may reduce the absorption that only goes waste. In addition to this, such combinations can cause adverse interactions that can harm your health.
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Clinical Evidence Supporting The Antiviral Activity Of Zinc
At this time, there is no clear clinical evidence that zinc has a specific application for COVID-19. Zelenko’s protocol may work, but it hasn’t been tested in a randomized controlled trial, and if we assume it works, we still don’t know which component works best, if they are all needed in combination, or whether the doses chosen are best.
The clearest clinical evidence that zinc has antiviral properties in humans comes from the use of zinc lozenges to treat the common cold These trials show that 75 mg/d zinc is necessary to have a useful effect. They supply the zinc using lozenges, and the zinc is in a form such as zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, or zinc gluconate glycine. Zinc acetate resulted in an average reduction of the duration of colds by 42%, while other forms of zinc resulted in an average reduction of 20%.
The rationale for zinc in the common cold is quite different from the rationale in COVID-19.
For the common cold, the primary mechanism of zinc is to prevent rhinoviruses from docking to their cellular receptor, ICAM-1. Since cold viruses infect the nose and throat, lozenges are used to increase the delivery to those tissues. This requires zinc to ionize outside of the relevant cells, and zinc acetate ionizes to a greater extent than other forms of zinc, which is why it is roughly twice as effective as other forms.
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Revew Of Zinc Studies
A November 2010 article published in “Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care” reviewed studies on zinc and mood disorders. Animal studies showed that zinc reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Clinical studies with humans have found that zinc levels tend to be low in depressed patients. Supplementation improved their responsiveness to antidepressants and may be particularly valuable for treatment-resistant patients. There is no indication, however, that zinc supplements would benefit depressed people who already have adequate levels of this mineral. Since depression and anxiety are thought to be closely related disorders and since many of the same medications used for depression are also used to treat anxiety, this finding may have relevance for the treatment of anxiety.
Zinc Dosage For Elderly
zinc dosage for elderly patients with chronic kidney disease. J Clin Nephrol. 2003 15:843-851.
, J.A. and J.-P.M., J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 7:79-84. PubMed], . A.J. et al. Effects of dietary zinc on the function of the human liver.
K.S.K., J., M.R.L.H., and S.P.-J., A randomized controlled trial of zinc supplementation in patients at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 2001 348:1821-1826. PMC free article] PubMed PMID: 16593326
, A., S., K. S. K. S, and P. P. P, A controlled study of a zinc-based diet in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2000 25:903-907. AMC Free article ] PubMed AMID and J.-M.-C.. A study on zinc in the treatment of type-2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Diabetologia. 1999 40:12031207 -1213.
. K, S, K S K, and M. M P P, a controlled, randomized trial on a dietary supplement of vitamin D for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults. Am J Cardiol. 1998 80:731-739. Epub 1998 Sep 15. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16593426
and. M, K., P M K and A. J. C. H, a study in which zinc was added to a diet to prevent type II diabetes in a population of patients who were at risk for developing the disease: the effect of supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Arch Intern Med. 1998 160:14031407
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Does Zinc Interfere With Other Mineral Levels
Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine, along with other minerals such as copper, calcium and iron. As a result, zinc at high doses can compete with minerals for absorption and “win”, resulting in less absorption and risk of deficiency.
Zinc’s effect on copper levels
Studies show that supplementing long-term at much higher levels than the adequate daily intake, in the range of 100 mg of zinc per day or more, can interfere with copper absorption and may cause copper deficiency. Some cases of copper deficiency have been noted at doses of 60 mg of zinc per day. Copper deficiency can result in low iron levels, low neutrophils and changes in cholesterol metabolism.
Copper is a trace mineral that the body uses to help transport iron, produce energy and white blood cells, and is required at even smaller doses than zinc. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for copper is 900 mcg daily for both men and women, with an upper supplement limit of 8000 mcg daily. For dietary sources of copper, foods like oysters, shiitake mushrooms, dark chocolate and tofu are all great options.
Balancing zinc and copper intake
To err on the safe side, Health Canada recommends that adults who are supplementing with more than 30mg of zinc daily, take additional copper, starting at 2000 mcg and up to 8000 mcg daily. Always consult with your healthcare provider, such as a Naturopathic Doctor, before introducing any new supplements.
Its All About The Breed
There’s research on the importance of zinc for dogs depending on the canine’s breed, and their needs and prevalence of zinc-related health problems. Breed differences exist, and some breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Samoyed and Alaskan Malamute are far more prone to developing zinc deficiencies .
While there are a large number of potential side effects from a lack of zinc in dogs, the most reported zinc-related medical condition seen in these particular breeds in scientific literature is known as zinc responsive dermatosis. This is a skin disease that responds to supplementation with zinc .
Studies have also found that all breeds of rapidly growing large or giant puppies can be more prone to developing a zinc deficiency than smaller breeds. These dogs tend to either be on inappropriate diets or may be receiving dietary supplements which interfere with zinc absorption. Most commonly, vets observed that these dogs are receiving too much Calcium or Phytate.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency in dogs of these breeds are similar to those experienced by Northern breeds suffering from zinc responsive dermatosis, though they may also have thickened pads and irregular skin on their nose .
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Zinc Supplementation Can Improve Blood Sugar Control
So zinc may be helpful in protecting against diabetes, but can it also help treat it once you are already diabetic? Numerous animal and laboratory studies show that zinc supplementation can reduce fasting glucose and improve insulin functioning in animal models of diabetes. While studies in humans are more limited, the evidence is growing that humans can benefit from taking zinc, as well, with zinc supplementation resulting in improved insulin function and blood sugar control.
Foods That Contains Zinc That Assists In Boosting Testosterone Levels
Oysters
Research has shown that oysters are the highest zinc contained food. And it is well known that zinc is very much needed for various reproductive functions and production of sperm. Men who have lowered testosterone are most shown to lack enough zinc in their body. They can also experience impotency or reduced sex drive.
You can also get minerals from:
- Beans
- Fortified cereals and bread
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Other Benefits Of Taking Zinc For Diabetes
Zinc offers more than just a natural blood sugar control strategy zinc also has antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress is common in diabetes, and zinc supplementation can help to reduce oxidative damage in people with diabetes. Zinc can also help to control lipid metabolism in diabetics, helping to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
What Are The Symptoms
The symptoms of a zinc deficiency can vary, and as such it may not be easy to identify. Additionally, it is difficult to actually measure a persons zinc nutritional status.
With this in mind, let us take a look at some of the tell tail signs that a person is zinc deficient as stipulated by the National Health Service in the UK:
- Loss of taste and smell
- Wounds unable to heal
Apart for living in a high-risk region, there are groups of people that are also vulnerable.
This can be due partly to lifestyle or chronic illness and diseases.
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Questions Answered In This Article:
Zinc is one of the most commonly utilized minerals in our bodies, and despite its crucial role in hundreds of functions, our body doesn’t actually produce it or store it! That means we must take it in from supplemental sources, either through our diet or a daily supplement. The body contains 2-3 grams of zinc and about 90% is found in muscle and bone. So how much zinc should we be aiming for daily, and how much is too much?
How Much Zinc Should A 65 Year Old Woman Take
The answer is: not much. a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that women who took zinc supplements for at least six months had a lower risk of developing breast cancer than women taking no supplements. The researchers also found a link between zinc and a reduced risk for ovarian cancer. In fact, the researchers found no difference in risk between women with and without ovarian cysts.The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and the National Cancer Institute. It was published online in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Healthy Benefits Of Zinc In The Body
Zinc is essential for numerous processes in the body, such as:
- Wound Healing
The health benefits of zinc are numerous, and it includes:
Speeds Up Wound Healing Process
Zinc is mostly used in hospitals as a source of treatments for burns and other skin injuries. The reason it is used in the hospital is that zinc plays a vital role in collagen synthesis and inflammatory response.
Zinc is vital for the proper healing of wounds and even treating certain ulcers. Your skin holds about 5% of your bodys zinc content, and a deficiency can slow down the healing process.
Can Help Treat Acne
Acne is a pervasive skin problem that is prevalent with 9.4% of the worlds population. Acne is caused by a blockage in the oil-producing glands and inflammation.
Recent studies have shown that oral and topical zinc can be very useful in treating acne by reducing inflammation and subduing oily gland activities. People who are deficient in zinc are more prone to acne, so, eating foods with enough zinc content would help reduce symptoms.
Reduces Inflammation
Zinc decreases the inflammatory proteins in your body and also reduces oxidating stress. Oxidating stress can lead to inflammatory problems, and it plays a deciding role in a wide variety of diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Strengthens Your Immune System
Zinc aids in keeping your immune system agile and strong at all times. Because it plays a significant role in immune cell function, a deficiency can lead to a weak immune system.
What Is The Best Zinc Supplement For Seniors
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the cells from damage. Zinc helps the immune system to fight off infections and other diseases. a zinc deficiency is common in older people. The zinc in the diet is not enough to meet the needs of the elderly. In fact, the amount of zinc that the average person needs is only about 1.5 mg per day. This is why it is important to get enough zinc. If you are not getting enough, you may need to take supplements to help you get the zinc you need.
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Zinc And Childhood Anxiety
A study reported in the November 2010 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” examined the effects of zinc supplementation on Guatemalan children. An earlier study defined children having serum zinc levels of below 75 micrograms per deciliter as being zinc-deficient. In this study, one-fifth of the children had zinc levels below 65 micrograms per deciliter.
Children were randomly assigned to either a group that received zinc supplementation or a group that received a placebo. At the end of the study, even the children who did not receive zinc had higher plasma levels of this mineral than they did when the experiment started.
When children were evaluated for depression, anxiety, hyperactivity and conduct disorder, the researchers found that there were no significant differences between the zinc and placebo groups on any measure of mental health used in the study. However, when children were studied individually, it was found that higher zinc levels were correlated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Are You Looking For Natural Blood Sugar Control Techniques Zinc Benefits For Diabetes Care Are Impressive
Zinc benefits include promoting healthy insulin function, providing natural blood sugar control, and might even help to prevent diabetes in the first place.
I take zinc when I feel a cold coming on and find that it definitely helps to keep me from getting sick. Many people use zinc for this immune-boosting purpose, but zinc benefits can do more for your body than just that. The benefits of taking zinc include lowering your risk of heart disease, treating Parkinsons disease, and even helping clear up acne.
As if that werent enough, yet another reason to love zinc is that it can be helpful for diabetes care. Zinc is highly concentrated in the islet cells of the pancreas, where insulin is produced. Zinc benefits include promoting healthy insulin function, providing natural blood sugar control, and might even help to prevent diabetes in the first place.
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Zinc Supplements: What To Know If You’re Thinking Of Taking Them
A nutritionist explains the benefits of zinc, and if supplements are necessary.
You may be familiar with zincs role in supporting immunity, and that connection might leave you wondering if you should be taking a zinc supplement. As a registered dietitian, I recommend that you get your zinc from food rather than a bottle, and there are important reasons behind that advice. Heres what to know about zinc supplementsalong with some of zincs additional benefits and top food sources to rely on.