Article Review:
Zinc has a myriad of benefits for the human body,
when consumed within a healthy range for individuals based on gender, age, and
athletic tendencies. This article published in Star Weekend Magazine in 2006
discusses these.
Zinc plays a major role in cell division and DNA
replication, which means a stronger immune system via the addition of more
immune cells. It also improves senses of smell and taste, through DNA
replication, as well as improving appetite and mood.
Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Toxicity
Both have serious negative health implications, and
endurance athletes are at an increased risk for both. Endurance athletes
commonly consume a diet that is high in carbohydrates, which happen to be low
in zinc. This can ultimately be detrimental to the health and athletic success
of individuals because of zinc’s direct influence on appetite, taste bud
development, and the facts that insufficient zinc intake can result in
difficulty digesting protein, menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and or
osteoporosis. It can also lead to weight loss, decreased endurance, and
fatigue. Endurance athletes are at this increased disadvantage because of
increased sweat loss, and the redistribution of zinc between plasma and red
blood cells.
With that being said, zinc supplementation should
be closely monitored. Too much zinc has been known to cause abdominal cramping,
diarrhea and vomiting. It may also lead to disproportionate absorption of iron,
nickel, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, copper, and vitamins A, B1 and C.
The Food and Nutrition Board of The Institute of Medicine
states that upper level limits of zinc is 40mg per day, and that Zinc intake that
exceeds 80 mg per day has the potential to decrease HDL-C levels (good
cholesterol) and even white blood cells.
Moral of this story: take your zinc- but not too
much.
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