Zinc: High Testosterone, Healthy Prostate

    Zinc is a macroelement that in the human body participates in protein synthesis, copying genetic material, hematopoiesis, functioning of the immune and endocrine systems, and acts as a cofactor for several hundred zinc-dependent enzymes. Deficiency causes growth retardation, dwarfism, delayed puberty, skin and mucous membrane lesions (dermatitis, alopecia, parakeratosis), infertility, increased tumor growth, and nail and hair pathologies. Zinc is involved not only in the processes of hematopoiesis, bone formation, and immunity production but also in the activity of endocrine glands (specifically, it participates in the synthesis of male hormones, particularly testosterone, as well as insulin and growth hormone). Zinc ensures the normal functioning of the prostate and pancreas.

      The daily requirement for zinc in men is higher than in women, amounting to 15–25 mg. Zinc deficiency can develop with insufficient intake (1 mg/day or less).
     Zinc is essential for normal growth and development, thus the need for zinc increases during pregnancy.
   This need is generally small: about 100 mg for the entire pregnancy period. It can be met by additional regular zinc intake of 0.6 mg/day throughout pregnancy.
    It is especially important to ensure the fetus’s zinc needs in the first 3 months of pregnancy. The development of the placenta during this period requires large mineral reserves. It is during this time that pregnant women complain of changes in the perception of smell and taste. All of this is a result of zinc deficiency in the taste buds of the tongue or in the receptors of the nasal cavity.
    Zinc deficiency in pregnant women can lead to atonic bleeding, premature labor, and prolonged labor.

     In the early period of puberty, when the sexual organs are forming, boys also require an increased amount of zinc. Girls’ bodies need zinc in smaller amounts during this period—only for general growth and development.
     In adult men, zinc deficiency can lead to decreased fertilizing ability of sperm.

      The total zinc content in the body of an adult person is approximately 1.5 g in women and 2.5–3 g in men.
    Zinc is present in all organs, tissues, fluids, and secretions of the body. It is mainly concentrated in the skin, hair, and bone tissue. More than 95% of total zinc is contained within cells. In biological systems, zinc is always in a divalent ionic state.
    There is no specific zinc depot in the human body, so a reduction in dietary zinc intake quickly leads to symptoms of deficiency.

     Zinc absorption occurs in the small intestine. The main route of excretion is the gastrointestinal tract. Fecal losses of zinc consist of unabsorbed dietary zinc and endogenously secreted zinc. Pancreatic secretion is the main source of endogenous zinc. The amount of zinc secreted into the intestine varies depending on its intake. About 400–600 µg is excreted daily in urine. Zinc is also lost with sperm and menstrual secretions.
    Catabolic conditions (severe burns, surgeries, injuries, as well as starvation) lead to clinically significant increases in zinc losses in urine. Surface losses through desquamation (shedding) of the skin, hair growth, and sweat amount to up to 1 mg/day.

      Biological role. Zinc is necessary for the functioning of DNA and RNA polymerases, which control the processes of hereditary information transmission and protein biosynthesis, and thus the reparative processes in the body; as well as the enzyme of the key reaction in heme biosynthesis, which is part of the structure of hemoglobin, cytochromes of mitochondrial respiratory chains, cytochrome P-450, catalase, and myeloperoxidase. Zinc is part of the structure of the key antioxidant enzyme – (Zn, Cu)-superoxide dismutase – and induces the biosynthesis of protective cell proteins – metallothioneins, which is why zinc is an antioxidant with reparative action.
      Zinc plays an important role in the realization of hormonal functions in the body. It directly affects the production and functioning of insulin, and thus the entire spectrum of insulin-dependent processes. In men, zinc participates in testosterone synthesis and the functioning of the gonads, acting as an inhibitor of aromatase (an adrenal enzyme that converts male testosterone into female estrogen), which establishes a direct link between zinc levels in the body and potency. Zinc regulates the level of the testosterone metabolite – dihydrotestosterone, an excess of which leads to prostate hyperplasia. Zinc is also a necessary factor for the female body, as it is part of the structure of estrogen receptors, thus regulating all estrogen-dependent processes.
    Zinc is vital for the functioning of the thymus and the normal state of the immune system. Being a component of retinol-binding protein, zinc, together with vitamin A (and vitamin C), prevents the occurrence of immune deficiencies, stimulates antibody synthesis, and has antiviral effects.
    Zinc is necessary for protein synthesis, including collagen, thus possessing wound-healing and ulcer-healing properties, participating in the processes of taste perception and smell, and is necessary for the functioning of the central nervous system, including memory processes.
    Zinc is required to maintain normal concentrations of vitamin E in the blood; it also increases the absorption of vitamin E.
    Zinc regulates the secretion of sebaceous glands and helps prevent the development of acne; protects the liver from chemical damage, and is vital for bone formation.

      Zinc synergists and antagonists. Functional antagonists of zinc include copper, cadmium, lead, especially against a background of protein deficiency.
      In the form of chelating compounds, zinc can act as a synergist of chromium.
      Increased intake of phytates, phosphates, excess calcium, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, anabolic steroids, antimetabolites, diuretics, alcohol, immunosuppressants can lead to zinc deficiency in the body.

      Signs of deficiency. Loss of taste and smell sensations; brittleness, peeling of nails, formation of white spots on them; acne; delayed puberty; fatigue; slowed growth, hair loss; elevated cholesterol levels; weakened night vision; infertility, impotence, impaired prostate function; increased susceptibility to infections; memory impairment; predisposition to diabetes; skin lesions and slow wound healing.

       Zinc levels decrease in chronic liver and kidney diseases, in the presence of tumors, burns, and myocardial infarction.
      Zinc levels increase in anemias, leukemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, overwork, and stress.

      The main manifestations of excess zinc: impaired immune system functions, autoimmune reactions; skin, hair, and nail disorders; painful sensitivity of the stomach, nausea; decreased levels of iron, copper, cadmium in the body; weakened prostate function; weakened pancreatic function; weakened liver function.

        Zinc is necessary: for the prevention of acne, in prostatitis, impotence, hyperlipidemia.

    Dietary sources of zinc: oysters, fish (especially sardines) and other seafood (in particular – kelp (sea cabbage)), liver, meat, ham; brewer’s yeast; cereals and legumes: beans, peas, buckwheat, corn, alfalfa, oats, millet, soft wheat, hard wheat, brown rice, wild rice, rye, soybeans, beans, lentils, barley; whole grains; black pepper; nuts and seeds: peanuts, cashews, sesame, poppy, macadamia, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, hazelnuts, especially – pumpkin seeds.

• 20–50 mg/kg of zinc is present in wheat flour (from both soft and hard wheat) and related bakery products, oat and barley flour, buckwheat, corn, millet, unpolished brown rice, wild rice, rye, cocoa, egg yolk, rabbit and chicken meat, nuts and seeds (peanuts, cashews, sesame, poppy, macadamia, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts), legumes (beans, peas, soybeans, beans, lentils), dried fruits (dates), parsley greens, dill, garlic greens, spinach, tea, dried yeast;
• approximately 75–140 mg/kg – in various mushrooms (dried white mushrooms, butter mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, etc.);
• approximately 130–202 mg/kg – in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat bran, sprouted wheat grains, and blueberry leaves.

      What is the role of zinc in plants?