Some studies have found that zinc can be used for treating men with erectile dysfunction diseases. Zinc may also promote improvements for prostate health and general male fertility.
Zinc is required to produce testosterone and has been found to significantly improve erectile function as well as the reduction of prostate size in those suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
A zinc deficiency can lead to lowered overall levels of testosterone, which may in turn decrease libido or erectile function.
The role of zinc in penile erection is related to its ability to activate testosterone receptors. Recent studies have shown that serum zinc levels are low in people who have erectile dysfunction. For this reason, it can be concluded that low zinc levels are an important cause of erectile dysfunction because they inhibit the bioavailability of testosterone, which leads to sexual malfunctioning and infertility.
Erectile dysfunction prevalence increases among aging men with age-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease due to altered nitric oxide metabolism or other mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction. More than half of men experience complete remission or slight improvement after penile rehabilitation exercises.
Your best option for making sure you are obtaining the right amount of zinc would be to use zinc supplements instead of using exclusively food sources.
However, the supplements should only constitute a small percentage of your total intake with food sources supplying most of what you need. Low doses are used for treatment but it’s important to discuss their usage with a physician if you are considering treatment
It’s best to take zinc under medical guidance or when recommended by your physician. Furthermore, its effect is not guaranteed in every case; if it is effective for you, this effect does not happen quickly (usually it takes six weeks), and when taking zinc one should stay on the treatment long-term (under medical supervision).
What is erectile dysfunction?
When a person has trouble getting an erection, that person has erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a type of male sexual dysfunction. It’s when you’re unable to maintain an erection long enough for intercourse needs to take place.
This can have two causes, either physical or psychological in nature. The physical cause comes from some kind of illness which could be hormonal imbalance, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, or high blood pressure that results in poor circulation.
Psychological causes are often traced back to issues related to anxiety, intimacy, and relationship stresses. There are many ways erectile dysfunction can be treated ranging from lifestyle changes, quitting alcohol, quitting smoking, yoga, changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables, and treatment through prescriptions drugs.
The condition is believed to affect between 50–70% of men with diabetes, 50% of men who have experienced prostate surgery, 60% of men taking antipsychotics, and generalized anxiety disorders.
Erectile dysfunction may be related to physical health rather than psychosexual health although it can be caused by relationship problems or issues with self-esteem. Dementia medications such as sulpiride and selegiline can also cause erectile dysfunction although stopping the medication may resolve the problem within 12 months.
If you’re taking any medications and think they might be causing your erectile dysfunction, see your doctor immediately for assistance in quitting or switching prescription drugs to stop the problem from worsening.
Certain medication use may contribute to sexual difficulties, as can a run on certain vitamins. So first check with your doctor if these apply to you.
A more common underlying cause of erectile dysfunction is neurological damage from diabetes or from being obese, meaning those who have been overweight for a long time and then lose weight.
In one study of 1000 men undergoing weight loss surgery, 60% experienced some degree of erectile dysfunction before the operation, but that number dropped to 11% after weight loss surgery — an impressive difference!
Another cause of erectile dysfunction is low testosterone levels — which happens naturally as men age — and this can be remedied by taking a supplement or replacement therapy like Propecia over the course of six months.
What is zinc?
Zinc is a metal found in the air, water, and soil. It plays an important role in helping you maintain healthy skin and hair as well as boosting your immune system.
It’s also thought to support healthy memory. In addition to this, it’s best known as one of two key minerals that can be used against nausea or vomiting induced by chemotherapy. Furthermore, it has been shown to help fight the development of acne for those with oily skin.
Mostly found in gastrointestinal tissues, kidneys, pancreas, and brain tissue, zinc has been linked to the healthy management of cell growth and development.
Zinc is also necessary for many enzymatic reactions (these enzymes participate in various functions throughout the body, and they depend on zinc to do their jobs).
One example of an enzyme-dependent on zinc would be superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps regulate inflammation and scavenges molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals (OH).
Zinc is a mineral that the body needs for a number of different reasons. It aids in growth, development, and reproductive systems. Zinc also makes an appearance as a component of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and is able to stabilize DNA strands during DNA replication.
In addition to this, it helps maintain basic brain function by keeping neuro-inflammation in check which can reduce symptoms from ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia.
Foods rich in zinc:
The following food sources are rich in zinc: oats, cashews, chicken breast, beefsteak book, soybeans. It is also found in corn and chocolate. Zinc is also found in breakfast cereal staples such as oatmeal, bread (white bread), cereal (cereal with flakes). The other foods come under the classification of nuts, for example, almonds, peanuts, and pecans.
Pumpkin seeds are good for you as well since they have got zinc and magnesium.
Foods rich in zinc also include red meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, and beans. While judging by name alone one might expect vegan food to not provide much zinc; it turns out tofu, spinach, and oatmeal are all good sources of zinc whether or not you’re vegan.
Conclusion:
The effects of too much zinc are not significant if your diet is adequate in copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, vitamin C. Symptoms of “too much” zinc may include gastrointestinal distress and/or anemia. Make sure to drink plenty of water and consume foods with high levels of Vitamin C for proper balance.
Excessive amounts may lead to gastrointestinal upset including nausea and vomiting. It can also cause lowered copper absorption leading to low moods and lowered immunity which would make you more susceptible to illnesses like colds or flu.
Long-term side effects may include anorexia and growth impairment.
