Zinc is a naturally-occurring element used for a variety of purposes. For instance, zinc supplements have been used to treat diarrhea for a long time. Moreover, no less than the World Health Organization has been warning us of zinc deficiency as a rising threat, besides upholding its use as a diarrhea treatment – one that has saved many children’s lives.
However, zinc isn’t just beneficial for bowel movements. Zinc, after all, is an integral part of how your antibodies respond, besides being an essential nutrient for the optimal function of several organs.
That’s why getting adequate amounts of zinc is important, especially when it comes to the development of children. Besides helping aid immune function, zinc aids in height/weight gain, and sexual development.
That said, having inadequate levels of zinc can cause a variety of ailments, such as skin conditions and impaired wound regeneration. At the same time, excessively high testosterone levels may cause nutrient deficiencies like iron and zinc, besides causing gastrointestinal/digestive issues.
However, it’s difficult to overdose on zinc, even if you tried. Most experts generally consider zinc as a nontoxic nutrient, with the average adult capable of tolerating up to 40 mg daily.
The body needs around 11 mg of zinc daily, but since the human body doesn’t naturally produce zinc, it’s generally difficult to maintain your zinc levels without consuming zinc-rich foods like meat and shellfish or dietary supplements like multivitamins that contain the nutrient.
Having sufficient amounts of zinc plays a critical role in keeping you healthy, besides helping boost your “T.”
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What is the Link Between Zinc and Testosterone?
One thing we know for sure is that testosterone and zinc are closely interrelated. In fact, men with moderate to severe zinc deficiency have been known to have developed low testosterone (hypogonadism).
Zinc is an integral part of the male reproductive and endocrine system – the latter being responsible for regulating hormone production. That includes testosterone.
Studies have upheld zinc’s important role in maintaining male fertility, particularly as a vital nutrient for sperm production and quality, besides its beneficial antioxidative properties.
But perhaps the most important role zinc plays is its role in regulating hormonal production – especially in testosterone production and prostate function, both of which are critical for a man’s overall sexual health and well-being.
Does Zinc Increase Your Testosterone Levels?
A small 1996 study involving men aged 20 to 80 determined that men with deficiencies in dietary zinc indicated a substantial reduction in serum testosterone levels.
Supplemental zinc is typically recommended by healthcare providers for treating a type of low testosterone called hypogonadism, and research shows that 220 mg of a zinc sulfate supplement twice daily is sufficient for hypogonadism sufferers to nurse their T levels back to the normal range.
But just a word of caution before you head down to the pharmacy and stock up on the zinc supplements: as of this writing, the existing research on zinc hasn’t indicated that the nutrient is a cure-all for all types of testosterone issues or hypogonadism.
So, what does this all mean? We’ll smarten you up: unless you have been diagnosed with a zinc deficiency, the best approach to treating your testosterone levels is a holistic one.
Increasing Testosterone Levels
Testosterone levels can be boosted through several approaches, namely, through dietary changes, changes in lifestyle and habits, and by taking the appropriate supplements.
Foods and Dietary Testosterone Boosters
Studies show that protein sources, oils, and dairy products can help boost testosterone naturally. For instance, shellfish, tuna, red meat, eggs, olive oil, coconuts, and garlic may help promote increased testosterone production when taken as part of a reasonably balanced diet.
Likewise, a diet low in vegetables and high in fats, sugars, and carbs – paired with being overweight or obese – have been linked to low testosterone levels. That should be more than reason enough to ensure that you keep an eye on your weight and eat your green leafy vegetables to get your zinc game ON.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
If the severity of your low testosterone is medium to high, then you might want to consult your healthcare provider about getting prescription testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT is an effective treatment for high-severity low testosterone cases, and can be delivered in various forms, such as testosterone injections, gels, patches, creams, and capsules – even nasal sprays.
If you’ve been diagnosed with severe low testosterone or hypogonadism, ask your doctor about the best approach to TRT. Don’t go into business for yourself with OTC and non-standard testosterone treatments, which may be a placebo at best and dangerous at worst.
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Other Testosterone-Boosting Dietary Supplements
Your supplementation shouldn’t end at zinc and zinc alone. Other vitamins and nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, and d-aspartic acid are just among the many other supplements that could help promote testosterone production.
Zinc and Testosterone Levels: The Final Word
The final word is that taking a zinc supplement is most likely only going to help you in treating low testosterone if you’ve actually been diagnosed with a zinc deficiency. The same is true for other vitamins or minerals you might be lacking in.
In the grand scheme of things, low testosterone cannot be solved by a singular solution, because it is a multi-faceted problem.
Plenty of other underlying medical conditions can affect your testosterone levels, and the best way to approach it if you suspect you might have low T is to consult a healthcare provider and get yourself checked rather than self-diagnosing or self-treatment.
Your healthcare provider is trained to find the root cause of your medical conditions, rather than merely addressing their symptoms. And while that may very well involve taking supplementary zinc, they may put you on a different, more holistic approach to treating low T as we have earlier mentioned.
If you think you might have low testosterone, consult a licensed medical professional so you can get the most suitable treatment suited to your needs and medical history.