Are you getting enough zinc?

Oysters are a great source of zinc

Oysters are a great source of zinc

Zinc can increase fertility and help balance hormones!

So often subfertility can be improved with therapeutic supplementation or dietary increase of zinc.  Adequate amounts of zinc are dependent on many factors. Firstly, it needs to be available in the soil and often it’s not.  Perhaps it is being provided in the diet and then whether it is utilised is another matter.  People more at risk of low zinc include vegans, those with digestive issues such as leaky gut, or low stomach acid or taking the OCP, being pregnant or breastfeeding. Most often I see that heavy metals, especially copper, are blocking the uptake of zinc and this becomes one of my first tasks to increase fertility.

Benefits of zinc:

  • Zinc is a critical trace mineral for women. From assisting with the production of mature, ripe eggs ready for fertilisation to maintaining sufficient follicular fluid levels and all important hormone regulation throughout the cycle. Zinc increases the availability of progesterone which is often implicated in early miscarriages.

  • Zinc is a critical trace mineral for male fertility. Not only does zinc boost sperm levels in infertile men it can also improve the morphology (shape), function, and quality of male sperm. Zinc can both reduce or increase testosterone levels, depending on what the body requires. In the case of PCOS zinc may reduce testosterone. A male with low testosterone levels will benefit from zinc to bring it back to healthy levels. 

  • Zinc supports the stress response. Cortisol (our stress-related hormone) affects the production of estrogen and progesterone in women. Either too high or too low levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause issues with menstruation, mood swings, early menopause, and infertility.

  • Zinc reduces inflammation. Period pain and conditions such as endometriosis can be supported with therapeutic levels of zinc.

  • Zinc supports the immune system. Exposure to stress, pollution, and alcohol can also deplete our bodies of important zinc supplies depleting our zinc stores. Ill health can rob our reproductive system of much-needed zinc for its many functions.

Zinc-rich foods:

  • oysters

  • beef/chicken

  • nuts/seeds

  • legumes

  • whole grains

  • milk

  • eggs 

deborah pym