What is the role of zinc in muscle growth?
Zinc plays a crucial role in anabolic hormone production. When zinc is available in the body, it allows the release of the three most important anabolic hormones, testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1. These hormones are essential for performance and muscle development.
As mentioned before, zinc plays a significant role in hormone production and in strengthening neurotransmitters. The production of dopamine is partly regulated by zinc status, and dopamine is a chemical that boosts energy, mood and learning.
For both women and men, zinc is vital for fertility. In men, zinc protects the prostate gland from infections and enlargement (prostatic hypertrophy). Zinc also helps maintain sperm count and mobility and normal level of serum testosterone.
Zinc deficiency plays a vital role in developing age-related macular degeneration, which leads to partial or complete loss of vision. High concentrations of zinc are found in the retina, and with age, the retinal zinc declines.
Zinc is one of the most important minerals during pregnancy because cells of the growing fetus are rapidly dividing. Zinc is mandatory for activating growth – height, weight and bone development in infants, children and teenagers.
Lack of zinc can influence the immune system, making you more likely to get sick. Getting recommended amounts of zinc can help keep the immune system strong and build a strong defense against infections.
Some studies showed that zinc could help reduce the duration of cold and lessen the symptoms. This mineral gets into parts of the body where the cold virus attacks and make symptoms less severe. With first symptoms, such as scratchy throat, reaching for zinc will help you get back quicker.
What are some good foods to help with cellulite?
Bananas are a great energy source, and are high in skin-improving minerals like zinc. They’re also renowned for boosting blood flow because of the potassium they contain, which can help to prevent cellulite. Try chopping a large one into a fruit salad in the morning, or tucking in before exercise. Bean Sprouts.
This means that your body is better able to support healthy bacteria and assist the removal of toxins – which can lead to cellulite – in the body. Squeeze over a salad or drink with hot water to reap the benefits .
They, too, are rich in vitamin C, which helps to keep the skin firm and taut by aiding collagen production. Apricots. Fibre-rich apricots are high in vitamins A and C, as well as containing lycopene.
Asparagus. Many A-listers swear by eating asparagus before appearing on the red carpet because of its fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce bloating while remaining low in calories. It’s also great for flushing out pesky toxins that can lead to cellulite, as it stimulates blood circulation. Berries.
Processed fatty foods like cheese and sausages are a big cellulite-busting no-no. But good fats, like those found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, can actually help to smooth things out. The fatty acids it contains help your body to metabolise fat, including that of cellulite. Cayenne Pepper.
Each floret contains a cocktail of beauty-boosting vitamins and minerals, and is relatively low in calories. However, there is one property it has that other foods lack in. Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that prevents collagen in the body from hardening, which causes cellulite.
What is zinc good for?
Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. With a varied diet, your body usually gets enough zinc. Food sources of zinc include chicken, red meat and fortified breakfast cereals.
Taking the antibiotic two hours before or four to six hours after taking zinc can minimize this effect. Penicillamine. Using oral zinc with the rheumatoid arthritis drug penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) can reduce the drug’s ability to ease arthritis symptoms.
Wound healing. People with skin ulcers and low levels of zinc might benefit from oral zinc supplements. Diarrhea.
Oral zinc supplements can reduce the symptoms of diarrhea in children with low levels of zinc, such as from malnutrition. There isn’t enough evidence to recommend use of oral zinc for children with diarrhea who have a healthy, varied diet. Age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration. Research suggests that oral zinc might slow the progression of this eye disease. Zinc that’s used topically is known as zinc oxide. Zinc oxide cream, ointment or paste is applied to the skin to prevent conditions such as diaper rash and sunburn.
Oral zinc supplements might benefit people with low levels of zinc. Taken soon after cold symptoms appear, zinc might also shorten the length of a cold. However, don’t use intranasal zinc, which has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.