Learn how zinc supports testosterone production and why you may need more of this mineral.
Testosterone is the single most important hormone for men. It’s what gives men their energy, mental sharpness, strong sex drive, and overall zest for life. Unfortunately, testosterone production slows naturally with age. There are many factors that can make this process worse, such as a poor diet that doesn’t provide enough of key nutrients like zinc.
Zinc Can Boost Testosterone
Zinc has many important functions in the human body, including as a micronutrient that is essential for the production of testosterone and other androgen hormones. If you are low on zinc, you will necessarily also be low on testosterone. By raising your zinc to a healthy level, you can support your body’s natural testosterone production. However, more zinc above and beyond the normal, healthy level will not have any additional effect on testosterone production.
Zinc Helps Control Aromatase
In addition to helping your body produce testosterone, zinc also helps keep that testosterone available for use by androgen receptors in the body. How? By controlling the aromatase enzyme, which would otherwise cause testosterone to convert into estrogen. Aromatase is found in belly fat cells, so overweight men are especially likely to have issues with testosterone conversion from aromatase.
Are You Low on Zinc?
At a bare minimum, you need at least 11 mg of zinc each day to maintain crucial endocrine system functions—including testosterone production. Because the body can’t metabolize zinc on its own or store this mineral in its tissues, you must take in enough zinc each and every day.
It can be difficult to get zinc from your diet alone, unless you plan to eat oysters every day. A serving of oysters contains a whopping 74 mg of zinc. Other meats such as beef, pork, and crab also contain zinc, although in much smaller amounts. Beans can also provide zinc, although the mineral is less bioavailable due to compounds called phytates that can actually inhibit zinc absorption.
By far the simplest way to ensure you are getting enough zinc is to take a quality multivitamin supplement such as Renew Youth’s™ Multi Vitamin Complete Formula each day. Since zinc is lost through sweat, athletes may need even more zinc than this supplement provides. If you have a serious workout routine, you may want to get your zinc levels tested to see how low you are on this mineral and learn if you could benefit from additional supplementation.
To learn more about zinc and other nutrients that can support testosterone, call Renew Youth™ at 800-859-7511 today.