Zinc – Mineral Nutrition for Sexual Health
Even with the most well-formulated of diets, it’s hard to get adequate nutrition from the foods we eat. Nutrient deficiencies are an incredibly common occurrence, and when we’re not getting enough of what we need, our bodies start to revolt.
But when our system gets replenished with what we’ve been missing, it feels like we’re driving a shiny new car. Our bones are stronger, our eyesight is better, our skin glows, our nervous system is reinforced, and our sexual health is up to par.
A common nutrient many Americans don’t get enough of is zinc—one of the more important minerals for men and women, especially regarding sexual health and general nutrition. Let’s take a look at why zinc is so important and how zinc can help to spark dwindling libido.
What is Zinc and Why is it Important?
Zinc is a mineral an essential nutrient. Without it, we couldn’t function, as zinc has many roles in keeping our systems running smooth. But our bodies cannot make zinc naturally. It’s a mineral that must be consumed through foods—fare like meat, shellfish, and legumes are teeming with zinc – or ingested through supplementation.
Like most mineral nutrients, Zinc isn’t a one trick pony in regards to benefits. Zinc is a powerful protection mineral, working to cultivate a well-functioning immune system and accelerating wound healing.
Zinc is also important for beauty benefits. The vital role it plays in DNA synthesis is a key part in developing healthy skin, hair and nail tissue. Plus, it is necessary to be able to taste food and smell the roses!
But perhaps one of the most praised benefits of zinc is its aptitude to increase sexual drive and performance, especially in males and females with declining testosterone levels.
Zinc for Sexual Health
Over time and depending on each individual, our libidos start to lessen, and our sex drive and health becomes an issue that many had never had trouble with until reaching a certain age. For some, libidos can fade away when they’re very young, but for most, the decline starts to happen later in life.
For women, a decline in sex drive tends to happen in their 40s and 50s, and while drive decreases gradually, women are 2 to 3 times more likely than males to undergo a decline in sex drive. The menopause transition is normally where females begin to feel the effects of falling estrogen and testosterone levels and start to experience vaginal dryness, and decreased sexual motivation, among a whole host of other occurrences.
Male testosterone levels peak in late teenage years and tend to decline insignificantly until the 30s are reached. Men typically begin to notice a change in their sex drive after 40, once testosterone production begins to simmer considerably. This natural biological change can lead to less desire for sex and more time needed to achieve erection.
For both men and women, testosterone is a vital role in having adequate levels of sex drive. And for each gender, zinc has come in to save the day for many. In recent studies, participants reported that regularly taking zinc supplements increased testosterone levels and improved the frequency and potency of sexual intercourse.
Additionally, numerous studies point to zinc being an integral role in prostate health. A recent report stated that “Men over 40 should consider zinc supplementation for a variety of reasons including maintaining healthy prostate tissue zinc levels.”
With zinc’s uncanny ability to keep our bodies thriving and our sexual health and drive in good standing, it’s a mineral that is beneficial to most everyone’s supplement protocol.