Zinc is one of a handful of nutrients that are critical to supporting a range of men’s health issues. It is what is known as an ‘essential mineral’ which means the body needs it but cannot produce it. We therefore need to get zinc from foods or supplements.
Zinc plays a number of roles in our body, including helping us fight disease and heal wounds. However, zinc also delivers some particularly important benefits for men. Let’s take a look at why men need zinc.
Zinc Supports Prostate Health
Prostate health is an uncomfortable topic for most men, and if you have a prostate problem, things get even more uncomfortable when you have to go and see your doctor. However, given that prostate cancer is one of the highest killer of men, taking prostate health seriously is important.
Studies have shown that cancerous prostates have lower than normal levels of zinc than normal prostates. The zinc in prostate cells appears to have a protective property, and lower zinc levels may mean lower levels of protection.
Healthy heart
Preliminary studies suggest zinc may be critical in maintaining a healthy heart, and may even help improve heart health after a heart attack. Given that men are significantly more likely to develop coronary heart disease, supporting your heart by ensuring you get enough zinc is a good idea.
Help increase sperm quality
One of the symptoms of zinc deficiencies in men is lowered sperm count. Low zinc can lead to low sperm count, which may adversely affect your chances of having a family.
Various foods are rich in this potent nutrient, they include: Seafood such as oysters and crab, lean beef and poultry, dairy products including yogurt and cheese.
However, you do not need to consume animal products in order to have adequate intake of this mineral. Nuts and beans, such as cooked chick peas, cashew nuts, spinach, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, cooked white mushrooms among others have the mineral.