Zinc (100 tab.)

What should you know about zinc?

Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the human body after iron.   The average 70 kg adult body contains 2-3g of zinc.

Dietary sources include oysters, stone fruits and beans. However, since most plant-based zinc-containing foods contain phytates that inhibit the bioavailability of zinc, the body does not utilize zinc from plant-based foods as well as from animal foods. This is why dietitians who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are recommended to increase the RDA by 50%.

The percentage distribution of the 2-3 grams of zinc is not even, about 60% is found in skeletal muscle and 30% in bone.
One in ten proteins in the human body has a zinc-binding site and cofactors are found in every single enzyme class. Its role is as a catalyst, structural process or signalling molecule.
It is a cofactor for nearly 300 enzymes involved in the breakdown of alcohol, alkaline phosphatase, angiotensin convertase, RNA and DNA polymerase, among others. Transcription factors that activate genes also require zinc.

• Zinc is involved in maintaining normal acid-base balance and normal carbohydrate metabolism.
• It helps to maintain normal mental function and normal blood levels of testosterone.
• It has an important role in the normal functioning of the immune system and in protecting cells against oxidative stress.
• Zinc is also involved in normal protein synthesis and the maintenance of normal fertility and reproduction.

Zinc deficiency affects more than 17% of the world’s population and has a number of consequences, for example on the normal functioning of the immune system.  2
Zinc regulates several key processes in innate immunity, including phagocytosis, intracellular degradation and cytokine production, while in the adaptive immune system, zinc deficiency results in reduced T-cell development and function and reduced antibody production by B-cells. ¹

Zinc and sport

The first recognition of an enzyme that contains zinc was carbonic anhydrase. This enzyme is responsible for the transport of Co₂  in the blood and the pH stability of the blood. With reduced zinc supply, VO₂ max and thus exercise capacity is reduced. ³

*In those individuals who were actually found to be deficient in zinc, testosterone production was also insufficient. With zinc supplementation, serum testosterone levels improved significantly.⁶
In athletes, particularly elite athletes, ongoing physical and emotional stress can significantly reduce testosterone production.In a 2007 study of elite wrestlers, zinc sulphate supplementation increased both free and bound testosterone levels.⁷

* Zinc helps maintain normal mental function and normal blood levels of testosterone.

Directions

Take 1 tablet daily at mealtime with a glass of water. Do not exceed the recommended dosage!

Warnings

Keep out of reach of children! Food supplements do not replace a balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Not recommended for people with medical condition and/or taking medications, nor for children and pregnant or breast-feeding women.