4 Zinc Benefits for Men to Support Your Health

Nutrition is essential to men's health. Knowing what your body needs and how to get it is one of the best steps to supporting yourself as you go out and engage with the world. One essential nutrient is Zinc, a men's health mineral that helps support your immune function, among other benefits. This article will discuss Zinc's role in men's health, how to get Zinc support and the best ways to start your wellness journey with Nature Made^®.^†

Zinc's Role in Men's Health

You might already be familiar with Zinc, an essential mineral. Our body needs Zinc, but 15% of Americans don't meet our adequate Zinc needs from food alone.[1] If you're looking for ways to up the levels of Zinc in your daily diet, look to Zinc rich foods like oysters, beef, crab, pumpkin seeds, oats, and zinc-fortified breakfast cereals to supplement your daily intake. If you are among the 15% of Americans who lack adequate dietary Zinc, you may benefit from an oral Zinc supplement, like Nature Made^® Zinc Tablets, which provide over 100% of your daily value of Zinc in one simple tablet.^†

What does Zinc do for the body? There are a number of Zinc benefits for men. Zinc supports the vital functions of over 100 different enzymes in the body, which is important for overall health. Men should get adequate Zinc because it plays an important role in our natural immune defenses, works as an antioxidant, and provides skin health support. What does Zinc do for men? Let's break down these supports one by one.^†

4 Benefits of Zinc for Men

Antioxidant Support

One of the most well-known Zinc benefits for men is its antioxidant support, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress. So, how exactly does Zinc function as an antioxidant? For one, Zinc competes for the same cell binding sites as metals that can cause cellular stress, taking up those spaces to block those metals from connecting. Another way Zinc supports antioxidant function is by increasing the activation of antioxidant proteins, enzymes, and molecules while inhibiting certain enzymes that cause oxidation.[2] Sounds pretty useful, right?^†

Immune Support

Another of the benefits of Zinc for men is that it supports a healthy immune response. Our immune systems are complex, with all sorts of cells with different functions interacting to provide our bodies with immune protection. Zinc is vital for the development and function of the cells that regulate our innate immunity. Zinc is also necessary for developing T and B cells, which are a part of our adaptive immune response.[3] You can support your immune system with Nature Made^® Wellblends™ Immune MAX^® Gummies, which offer 3 benefits in 1 blend to support your immune health. These daily gummies include Zinc, Vitamin D, and Selenium for immune support, along with Maximum Strength▲ Vitamin C to help support a healthy upper respiratory tract and provide antioxidant support.^†

Healthy Skin Support

You may be familiar with Zinc-based sunscreen to protect your skin, but taking Zinc through your food or supplementation also helps support healthy skin. Our skin, the biggest organ in the body, is constantly exposed to the outside world. Because of this, our body continually renews and maintains our skin to maintain a healthy barrier between our inside and the outside. Zinc is essential to this constant maintenance; proteins and enzymes that direct the process of renewing our skin require Zinc to function.[4] That's why you want to ensure your body has enough Zinc so those proteins and enzymes can keep up the good work!^†

Growth and Development Support

On top of all of those benefits, Zinc is vital for normal growth and development. Zinc is an essential part of the structure of biological membranes and is closely linked to protein synthesis, which is vital to the growth and development of our bodies; on top of that, Zinc has a role in the expression of our genes and the function of our endocrine system.[5]^†

Bridging the Nutritional Gap with Zinc Supplements

Zinc supplementation can help you close possible nutrient gaps. The prevalence of inadequate Zinc intake in adults in the United States is 15%. While a healthy diet should ideally fill these dietary gaps, the research shows that many Americans are not eating the necessary foods to meet their micronutrient needs.[1] A standalone Zinc supplement like Zinc Gummies or a multivitamin including Zinc like our Advanced Multivitamin Gummies for Him can help provide your body with a source of Zinc for antioxidant, immune function, skin, and growth and development support. If you want to know “How much Zinc should you take?” we’ve got a great blog for you.^†

Finding the Right Zinc Supplement for Men

Men looking for the right Zinc support supplement should check out our Zinc Collection. This includes a range of Zinc supplements in different forms, including multivitamins, to incorporate into your daily routine easily. Those who wish to support their Zinc intake with a tasty drink should look into Wellblends™ Immune MAX^® Fizzy Drink Mix, with 3 benefits in 1 blend with ingredients powered by science to support your immune health. In addition to Zinc and other essential nutrients, this drink mix powder includes an Electrolyte Hydration Blend♦ to help support replenishment of water and nutrients. Just add water and enjoy!^†

Start Your Wellness Journey

If you want to support your immune system, provide your body with antioxidant support, and support healthy skin, growth, and development, meeting your daily requirements for Zinc through diet or supplementation may be a great place to start. Now that you know the benefits of Zinc for men, explore our Zinc and Multivitamin collections to find the Zinc supplement that works best with your daily routine. Always consult a medical professional before beginning or changing your supplement routine. Nature Made^® supplements are guaranteed to meet our high-quality standards.^†

▲Compared to the leading immune health gummies as of the date of manufacture.

♦ Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. Published 2020 June 10. doi:10.3390/nu120617354.
2. Prasad AS. Zinc is an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent: Its Role in Human Health. Front Nutr. 2014;1:14. Published 2014 Sep 1. doi:10.3389/fnut.2014.00014
3. Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of Zinc on immune cells. Mol Med. 2008;14(5-6):353Zinc. doi:10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad
4. Schwartz JR, Marsh RG, Draelos ZD. Zinc and skin health: overview of physiology and pharmacology. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):837-847. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31729
5. SalgueiroMJ, Zubillaga MB, Lysionek AE, Caro RA, Weill R, Boccio JR. The role of Zinc in the growth and development of children. Nutrition. 2002;18(6):510-519. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-9007(01)00812-7