Zinc can be classified as a trace element, but it is a very important mineral in the enhancement of both male and female fertility. Zinc deficiency could lead to all sorts of infertility problems, from a low sperm count in men to pregnancy loss in women.
To understand the role of zinc in reproductive health in both sexes, let’s examine the reproductive organs. In men, the prostate is the organ with the highest contribution of zinc, while in women, the uterus (the baby’s palace) is the organ richest in zinc. From a developmental point of view, what is the uterus in women is equivalent to the prostate in men. Although both organs may look different, they need the same food, zinc, because they come from the same embryonic origin.
In women, a lack or low supply of zinc can cause a hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, failure of the egg to mature or release from the ovaries. If the woman conceives, zinc deficiency increases the chances of miscarriage, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and low birth weight babies. Keep in mind that the woman loses not only iron in her menstruation, but also magnesium and zinc.
In men, reproductive organs such as the prostate and testicles cannot function without zinc. The prostate will swell without an adequate supply of zinc. Zinc is essential for the production and maturation of sperm. Zinc is also a heavy metal antagonist and can combat arteriosclerosis as such, necessary to cure erectile dysfunction in men. Zinc is the reason semen is white. One ejaculation from a man leads to the loss of 15 milligrams of zinc. Zinc is necessary for DNA regulation and repair, proper cell division, immune system modulation, growth, regeneration, and repair. It is also an antioxidant protector that can combat the threat of free radicals in the body.
In fact, zinc is an important cofactor in more than 600 enzyme systems (including antioxidant enzymes such as catalaze and superoxide dismutase) in the body. This ranges from the metabolism of carbohydrates and vitamins to the release of energy. Zinc deficiency can cause loss of taste, loss of smell, poor wound healing, and infertility.
The problem is that zinc is notorious for its poor absorption, therefore even mild zinc deficiency can lead to low sperm count, poor sperm quality and motility. Fortunately, supplementation with 60 milligrams of zinc in 50 days can reverse all of these semen parameters in infertile men. Zinc does all this by raising testosterone levels (a hormone that stimulates sperm production), which is also responsible for sexual libido in both sexes. That is why we must increase the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Zinc to at least 60 milligrams daily. The misconception of supplementing copper with a higher dose of zinc is an unfounded fear that has no practical application.
Zinc with Magnesium and Vitamin B6 work in synergy to modulate and balance the delicate cascade of hormones in the body that is necessary for fertility and reproduction in both sexes.
Good sources of zinc are turkey, oysters, whole grains, eggs, bone meal, molasses, maple syrup, brewer’s yeast, seeds such as sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. Please note that zinc supplementation is no longer an option, but a must if you already have infertility issues.