Zinc and Women’s Hormonal Balance

Zinc helps prevent hormonal imbalance and fibrosis conditions because it plays an important role in hormone production and balance.  Zinc helps to increase progesterone levels and lower estrogen. The American Zinc Association states that as a woman ages, she may undergo dietary or hormonal changes which could affect her zinc status. For example, excess estrogen can lower serum zinc levels and women who are estrogen dominant or using estrogen replacement therapy should check to be sure their zinc intake is adequate. 

According to the America Zinc Association, zinc may help in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), which affects 50 percent of all menstruating women.  Recent studies cannot say for sure, but there is growing evidence that a deficiency of progesterone underlies PMS, and trace amounts of zinc regulate the secretion of hormones, including progesterone.

Early research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found significantly lower levels of zinc among women with PMS during the last 13 days of the menstrual cycle. This reduction could lead to a decrease in secretions of progesterone and endorphins, the natural painkillers our bodies produce. The research is preliminary and if zinc deficiency does play a role, it might only affect a subgroup; nevertheless, studies continue to confirm zinc's importance to the regulation of hormones.  Zinc also governs the contractibility of muscles, including uterine muscle, and plays a role in menstrual regulation.

Zinc and Men’s Hormonal Balance

Commonly used to manage colds, zinc is one of the most important supplements for men’s health. And is most concentrated in the prostate gland.¹ A key mineral in male sexual function and a protector nutrient against prostate cancer.^2,3

For the aging male population, zinc supplementation can be indicated for several reasons. The mineral zinc, which inhibits the activity of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that irreversibly converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, may be helpful in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.³ Zinc also has a critical role in male sexual function and is necessary for all aspects of male reproduction, including hormone metabolism and sperm formation and motility.³

In men, zinc deficiency syndromes can present in different ways. Low testosterone and low sperm counts may be signs of a zinc deficiency.³ Men with excessive estrogen levels despite normal testosterone levels may also lack the mineral.⁴ Increased estrogen levels result from elevated amounts of the aromatase enzyme which converts testosterone to estrogen.⁴

Read more about zinc for Men's Health on our Zinc for Men webpage.

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

Vital During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Because zinc is used to generate cells, it is essential for the developing fetus where cells are rapidly dividing. Adequate zinc contributes to growth, lessens premature births and other complications, and improves neonatal survival.

Zinc is also important to mothers who breastfeed. Studies in The Lancet showed that by the sixth month of lactation even a well-nourished mother may provide less zinc than is necessary for her infant. Zinc causes babies to thrive.  Breastfed babies who received zinc supplements grew significantly in length and weight over those given a placebo.

Zinc and Aging

A Wayne State study found that nearly 30 percent of a large group of healthy, affluent women over 50 were zinc deficient. It's believed that zinc deficiency is common in older women, partly because they eat less, which makes getting enough zinc difficult.

Zinc's role in strengthening a women's immune system is rapidly being recognized as critical. Without enough zinc, the body can't produce thymulin, a substance which helps make mature T-cells, some of the body's strongest defenders against infections and disease. The immune system weakens with age, and zinc deficiency may be partly to blame.

Zinc also plays a role in maintaining vision. In particular, it's needed for night vision and it may also slow the progression of macular degeneration, a disorder of the retina that is the leading cause of severe loss of vision in older women.

Genetic Expression

Groundbreaking research in zinc is its role in genetic transcription and replication. The discovery of "zinc fingers," which activate hundreds of genes, promises understanding of how growth promoters, like steroids,  work and may help treat tumors and viral diseases.  Zinc finger proteins bind to DNA by wrapping around small sections of DNA molecules, activating a gene.  Research into zinc finger proteins has already explained some genetic defects.

Zinc and Vitalzym

Zinc is an enzyme co-factor that assists the body in absorbing enzymes, such as those found in Vitalzym, to help them work as efficiently as possible in the body.

If you are using Vitalzym for a fibrosis condition that is related to estrogen dominance, or any condition, you may not be utilizing the enzymes as well as possible because you may have low levels of zinc.  

Between 15 and 50 mg a day is suggested to optimize enzyme absorption, the immune system, and hormonal balance.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: One (1) Vegetarian Capsule

Servings per Container: 60 Capsules

Amount per Serving: 25 mg. Zinc (zinc monomethionine)

Zinc monomethionine is a 1:1 chelated complex of the antioxidants zinc and methionine. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that zinc monomethionine is more effective than other zinc supplements tested. Zinc monomethionine has been shown to stimulate new cell growth, enhance immunity, nourish skin structures, support male sexual function, and fight free radical damage.     

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (Vcap).

Contains no added sugar, starch, salt, wheat, gluten, corn, coloring, dairy products, flavoring or preservatives.

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 2 capsules daily with meals or as directed by a health care professional.

Possible Zinc Side Effects

Long-term supplementation at doses above 50 mg/day can induce a copper deficiency and has been shown to cause an increase in cholesterol and lower HDL levels.1  Supplementing copper with the zinc should eliminate this problem.2

If your multi-vitamin/mineral formula contains copper and zinc, please factor the amount into your daily intake. For those who live in areas where there are high copper levels in water, there may not be a need to supplement with copper.

People with estrogen dominance may not need to add copper into their daily regimen, due to the fact that copper is generally high when this condition is present. Additionally, high levels of copper can be reduced by taking zinc alone.

Individuals who are not sure if they should take copper while supplementing with zinc may want to have their copper levels tested prior to adding it to their diet.

Doses above 150 mg/day can be problematic and cause diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, muscle in-coordination, and lethargy.3

Zinc Monomethionine Chelated Zinc and Methionine from Vitamin Research Products 60 Capsules - 25 mg. 6.50 - Discount Price (Retail $7.95) Quantity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Add to cart

References:

1. Baum MK, Shor-Posner G, Campa A. Zinc status in human immunodeficiency virus infection. J Nutr. 2000;130(5S Suppl):1421S-1423S.

3. Zini A, Fischer MA, Nam RK, Jarvi K. Use of alternative and hormonal therapies in male infertility. Urology. 2004;63:141-143.