What does zinc do for men? Are there any benefits of zinc for bedroom performance? Here are the answers to your questions.
Zinc supplements are a popularly discussed essential for the adult male — and for good reason. Many bodily functions (including immune system health, wound healing and DNA synthesis) require zinc to be carried out.
In recent years, researchers have investigated the potential bedroom benefits of zinc, with some studies suggesting that this mineral may play a role in enhancing function in both men and women.
There’s a lot of sound science behind this claim. For people who lack the essential mineral, a deficiency can cause many problems. And these issues can only be addressed by bringing zinc levels back into the safe zone.
These slides cover the bedroom benefits of zinc for men and other benefits zinc provides. It also covers some important details about zinc deficiency and what you need to know about supplements if you’re thinking about taking one.
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5 Bedroom Benefits of Zinc
Google “does zinc make you harder,” and you’ll find any number of people claiming that more zinc can increase drive and that there are links between zinc and ED.
But does zinc help with ED? Will the right supplement get you hard?
Here’s the truth: men’s bedroom health is more than a coin-operated carnival ride. Yes, healthy zinc levels are a vital part of your ability to function, but the connections are often not as obvious as you might hope.
Zinc affects various intimacy issues, including:
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Testosterone levels
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Privates health and blood flow
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Fertility
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Prostate health
Read on to learn how.
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Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is a critical hormone for men. It’s responsible for muscle mass, bone density and other functions.
Zinc is necessary for the production of testosterone and has been shown to increase testosterone levels in men who are deficient in this mineral. The key mineral is considered an essential part of maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
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Privates Health and Blood Flow
Zinc may also improve function by increasing blood flow to the privates area. This is because the trace mineral is necessary for the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow. When blood flow to the privates area is increased, it can enhance arousal and pleasure.
(Related: 6 Herbs for ED)
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Fertility
A 2018 review concluded that zinc was an essential element of male fertility. Zinc plays key roles in sperm health and quality, as well as fertilization. What’s more, zinc deficiency is connected with abnormal sperm.
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Supports Prostate Health
Zinc is also important for maintaining optimal prostate health. The prostate gland contains a high concentration of zinc, and research suggests it may help prevent and treat prostate enlargement and inflammation — potentially even reducing the risk of prostate cancer, though more research is needed.
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Other Zinc Benefits for Men
Zinc is responsible for everything from sperm count and testosterone production— one of the key intimacy hormones — not to mention sperm motility and sperm quality. Of the essential nutrients, it may have the most impressive resume, and of the nutrient deficiencies you can have, it may have the most obvious effects on your bedroom health.
But zinc doesn’t stop there. Besides its bedroom benefits, the trace mineral is known to support a number of crucial processes in the body. The benefits of zinc include immune function, wound healing and cognitive function. Let’s look at these in more detail.
(Related: What Foods Help You Get Hard: 8 Foods For ED)
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Boosts Immune System Function
Zinc is involved in the development and activation of immune cells, including T-cells and natural killer cells, which help fight off infections and other illnesses. In fact, several studies have found that zinc supplementation can reduce the incidence and duration of the common cold and other respiratory infections in men.
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Enhances Wound Healing
Zinc is essential for wound healing, as it plays a critical role in cell division, tissue repair and collagen synthesis. Studies have found that zinc supplementation can improve wound healing in men, particularly those who are deficient in the mineral. This could be particularly relevant for men recovering from surgery or other injuries.
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Improves Cognitive Function
Zinc may also have benefits for cognitive function, particularly in older men. A 2022 review pointed to numerous studies that found men who supplemented with zinc had improved cognitive function and memory compared to those who didn’t take the supplement. This suggests zinc may help prevent or slow age-related cognitive decline.
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Zinc Deficiency
According to the National Library of Medicine, the recommended daily intake of elemental zinc is 11 milligrams (mg) for adult males. How much of that you’ll absorb from a supplement is a more complicated thing to estimate, but generally speaking, a healthy diet can cover those needs.
Foods that contain zinc include:
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Red meat
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Poultry
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Nuts and seeds
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Wild rice
A well-balanced diet should cover your needs if it includes one or more of those foods on a regular basis. If, however, you’re not eating the right foods or are suffering from a condition that reduces your absorption, you might find yourself lacking adequate zinc.
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Risk Factors for Zinc Deficiency
There are several potential causes and risk factors for zinc deficiency. Obviously, inadequate dietary zinc is the main concern, especially in places where poor nutrition is common. But anorexia and strict vegan diets can also lead to a deficiency in zinc.
Additionally, the following could contribute to zinc deficiency:
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Bowel problems
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Crohn’s disease
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Chronic illness
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Excess alcohol consumption
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HIV
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Diabetes
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Sickle cell disease
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Hookworm infestation
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Zinc Supplement Dosage
Since the average adult male typically needs 11 milligrams of zinc per day, the “treat a deficiency” dosage can be significantly higher than 11 milligrams.
Experts generally recommend 2 to 3 milligrams per kilogram of weight or 20 to 40 milligrams as a daily dose. This amount will typically clear up problems caused by zinc deficiency in one to two weeks.
Higher supplement levels of zinc exceeding 50 milligrams per day are generally not necessary. At 150 milligrams per day, a person might experience adverse effects, including urinary problems, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea.
In other words, a person with a zinc deficiency needs to address this problem patiently to avoid additional health issues. If you’re not sure how to handle supplements for your individual circumstances, a healthcare provider is a great resource for information.
(Related: How to Lower Blood Pressure: 9 Ways To Make a Healthy Change)
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Zinc Benefits for Men: Final Thoughts
If you’re zinc deficient, you need to do something about it. Zinc deficiency can lead to a number of health problems. However, if you’re experiencing those problems, zinc is neither the only possible cause nor the most likely.
Here are the takeaways to remember about zinc:
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Research suggests that supplementing with zinc may increase testosterone levels, improve blood flow to the privates area and enhance bedroom experiences and satisfaction in both men and women.
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Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in many bodily functions, including bedroom experiences.
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While the intimacy benefits of zinc are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of this mineral on bedroom experiences.
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Consult with a healthcare provider before taking zinc supplements, as excessive zinc intake can lead to toxicity and other adverse effects.
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If you’re experiencing ED, a variety of treatments are available to you, including chewable hard mint ED meds. The same goes for PE treatments.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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