Zinc is a trace mineral, and it has various benefits that supports crucial functions in the human body. Today, I am going to talk about the benefits of this important zinc in functions.

Sexual function
Zinc promotes the secretion of sex hormones in both men and women, increasing libido, overall sexual drive or desire. But just increasing libido won’t solve everything. Zinc plays an important role in energy metabolism in mitochondria, the organelles that generate energy sources in cells. Zinc can increase physical strength and enable healthy sex lives.
In particular, zinc plays a very important role in men’s reproductive health. It also plays an role in promoting sperm production and testosterone, representative major male sex hormone, which promotes second ary sexual characteristics such as the development of male reproductive organs like the testicles and the prostate, the increase in musculoskeletal size, and the growth of bod y hair. Zinc maintains its level in the blood. The level of testosterone should be sufficient for the desire and the sexual function of men to perform normally.
As mentioned, zinc is also essential in improving the quantity and quality of sperm, which contributes to the increase of male fertility. In the part that improves the quality of sperm, it also increases the mobility, so that the sperm reaches the egg and increases the possibility of pregnancy. Zinc’s own antioxidant capacity protects sperm from various active oxygen species and reduces DNA damage, thereby protecting fertility.
Zinc is also important to women, and it not only balances hormones but also has a good effect on the menstrual cycle and ovulation. It helps the egg mature and increases the chances of pregnancy. The function of zinc, which boosts immune system, also prevents infections in the reproductive organs.

Skin health
Zinc improves skin problems such as acne, as it reduces skin inflammation. Zinc, which reduces the inflammatory response, can also solve other skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis caused by inflammation. Zinc, which helps antioxidants function, can protect skin cells from free oxygen species that damage cells and prevent aging.
These minerals also help the skin regene rate, speed up wound healing, and quickly repair damaged skin as they promote cell growth and regeneration. In addition to regenerated skin cells, the skin barrier is further strengthened to protect the skin from external stimuli. The fortified skin barrier reduces the loss of moisture in the cells, making the skin more wet and healthier.
In addition, zinc can regulate sebaceous gland activity, which reduces excessive sebum secretion to prevent acne. By helping the enzymes necessary for collagen synthesis, zinc is essential for skin elasticity and structure maintenance.

Immunity
Zinc is important for immune function and cell growth. Zinc supports immune cells’ functions and regulates the immune response, increasing resistance to infections and diseases. Deficiency can lead to fatigue and reduced immunity. Zinc plays an essential role in the development and function of immune cells, helping to fight infections and reduce inflammation. Increased immune function enhances the body’s ability to fight against infections.
This mechanism is because zinc is essential for the development and maturation of immune cells (T and B cells). As you know, T cells are active, such as directly attacking antigens or pathogens and re gulating other immune cells, and B cells are cells that produce antibodies to attack external factors in our body. There are also immune cells in the immune system, such as macrophages and NK cells (natural killer cells), and zinc supports these cells’ functions.
Zinc also plays a role in regulating the immune response and managing the harmonious operation of immune cells by acting on the cell signaling pathway. Since it also affects the production of various proteins and enzymes required for an immune response at the genetic level, zinc intake is a fundamental health care for securing a healthy immune system.

DNA synthesis and wound healing
Zinc plays an important role in DNA and RNA synthesis, which is essential for cell growth and division. These areas allow Zinc to play an important role in protein synthesis and repair of cell damage. Zinc is a nutrient mineral that is very necessary for cell division, and its deficiency can cause extreme fatigue as it slows down the recovery of cells and tissues. The recovery and regeneration of muscle tissue depends on protein synthesis, which is critical for recovery from fatigue related to post-exercise recovery. Sufficient Zinc accelerates muscle recovery, which reduces fatigue. Zinc promotes cell division and protein synthesis, which aids in wound healing and also reduces inflammation.

Recovery from fatigue
Zinc plays an important role in the body’s energy metabolism, and it acts as an important cofactor in the production of energy sources called ATP, which is produced in mitochondria. ATP is the most basic substance for fatigue recovery because it stores and delivers energy directly within cells.
Zinc acts as a component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, to protect cells fro oxidative stress. As oxidative stress is one of the main causes of fatigue, zinc can help reduce it, which can contribute to fatigue recovery. And zinc is involved in the production and regulation of several hormones. In particular, it plays an important role in the regulation of thyroid and sexual hormones. As hormonal imbalances can cause fatigue, zinc helps to reduce fatigue by regulating these hormones. It also helps the digestion of food that enters our body, and helps us secure the energy that we need by promoting the function of insulin.

This zinc can be consumed from various foods such as meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, and legumes.