Zinc

Zinc is an essential dietary mineral that plays a variety of enzymes role in the body.

Zinc is a cofactor in over 300 enzymes involved in gene expression, cell proliferation, and signal transduction.

It plays a role in antioxidant enzymes, brain function, the immune system optimal levels of testosterone & structural element in hundreds of metalloproteins (Superoxide Dismutase enzyme).

Zinc citrate is approximately 34% zinc by weight.

Zinc citrate, at 50 mg elemental zinc (146 mg) daily for 4 weeks, is associated with maintenance of Zinc status.

Zinc sulfate is approximately 22% zinc by weight.

Zinc gluconate is approximately 13% zinc by weight. Zinc Gluconate, at 50 mg elemental zinc (385 mg), appears to be slightly more effective than Zinc Citrate over a period of 4 weeks.

Zinc monomethionine is approximately 21% zinc by weight.

Zinc Picolinate (a metabolite of tryptophan), at 50 mg elemental Zinc appears to increase urinary and serum levels greater than two forms tested (Citrate, Gluconate)

Zinc carnosine (znc) is a synthetic molecule where zinc and carnosine are linked together.

Easily absorbed types of zinc supplements include zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate & zinc monomethionine.

Zinc is lost during sweat and exercise.

Urinary zinc excretion rates in diabetics are higher, lowering immune cell concentrations in relation to non-diabetic controls.

Zinc deficiency appears to decrease BDNF's ability to activate its receptors, and zinc can form a complex with the BDNF protein.

Zinc deficiency is linked to both mood disturbances poor memory development because zinc is heavily concentrated in the hippocampus.

Zinc deficiency can cause insulin sensitivity and testosterone levels to drop, and supplementation can help restore normal levels.

Zinc deficiency is linked to a variety of testicular dysfunctions including decreased testosterone production and secretion, decreased fertility, sperm parameters and
elevated cell death rates.

Zinc deficiency can decrease androgen receptor expression and testosterone production in cells, all of which reduce testosterone's overall effects.

Zinc deficiency is associated with a decrease in appetite, which is also the first sign of a problem.

Zinc deficiency is associated with reduced production and secretion of leptin.

Zinc deficiency is linked to a loss of taste, and zinc supplementation may improve taste clarity.

Normalizing zinc deficiency appears to be associated with a reduced risk for arterial plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).

Zinc deficiency is known to lead to a reduced count of T- cells.

Zinc deficiency tends to be more common in HIV patients, so supplementation with 10-15 mg of elemental zinc is
recommended.

Depressed people tend to have lower zinc levels in their blood.

Zinc has two standard dosages. The low dosage is 5-10 mg, while the high dosage is 25-45 mg.
Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) values
8 mg for females.
10-12 mg pregnant or lactating
14-15 mg males.

The Tolerable Upper intake Limit (TUL) is in the range of 35-40 mg for adults for both genders.

Calcium, magnesium, and iron obstruct zinc absorption in the intestine since they all use the same transporter.

Absorption concentrations would decrease if the transporter's uptake limit (800 mg) between these four minerals is exceeded.

When both iron and zinc are over 10 mg in solution, they tend to fight for absorption.

Zinc is a natural 5a-reductase inhibitor (type I), and the addition of vitamin B6 increases its effectiveness.

Zinc is abundant in animal tissues and eggs, legumes, and seafood, and it is particularly abundant in shellfish, such as oysters.

Zinc ions appear to be antiglutaminergic modulators.

Zinc appears to play a role in raising serotonin uptake in some areas of the brain.

Zinc has been noted to increase serum BDNF levels.

Zinc can increase the activity of glycogen synthesis.

Zinc overdose can cause nausea, gastrointestinal upset, copper deficiency and a metallic taste in the mouth.