Women Hormones Zinc

Over the past year we figured out that my heart problems were running with my monthly cycle. My heart is now under control but I still have some crazy hormonal days. Somewhere along the line I stumbled across Zinc and its many health benefits.

After reading numerous articles here are a few tips that I captured from the very long posts on the web. I do have to say that it is worth taking the time to read the extra information on the Zinc mineral at each site.

First of all what is Zinc? Zinc is an essential mineral required to help aid in many functions of the body. Zinc is chemically similar to magnesium and can help speed up the healing process after an injury.

“Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to decrease zinc excretion. In a study done in 1996, Israeli researchers assessed the effect of estrogen treatment on the excretion of several minerals, including zinc in 37 postmenopausal women. They found that zinc excretion decreased 35 per cent after three months and 26 per cent after one year of treatment.”

“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. “ Now I know 35% doesn’t sound like a lot but I take this into consideration. Most women I see that are going through hormone issues feel absolutely uncomfortable a majority of the time. In my opinion any woman at this point would love to have a 35% gain in feeling better. There is also PMS benefits that have been discussed.

The other thing that I thought was interesting is that if you are on hormone therapy or are suffering from PMS and you are a vegetarian your Zinc levels could be extra low during these times. “Groups at risk for zinc deficiency include the elderly, vegetarians, and those with renal insufficiency.”

There are some controversial studies on Zinc and fighting antibiotic resistant viruses. All of the articles I read reference one of the studies performed by the Cleveland Clinic. Some say Zinc works on sore throats if caught early.

“In a 1996 study at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, zinc lozenges reduced the average duration of cold symptoms from 7 days to only 4.”

“Zinc ions may interfere with the replication of cold viruses in the throat. But more recent research suggests that zinc may owe its cold-fighting properties to its effect on our immune system, rather than directly on the virus.”

On the other hand professionals say that they have doubts about the findings and people should use caution when taking Zinc supplements. Excess Zinc in your body can create some nasty symptoms. This is why you should speak to your doc if you are thinking of home treatment for the next flu season. Zinc can mess with medications that you are already taking and I’ve seen posts on the bad effects of taking too many vitamin supplements.

I always try the food route first so here are foods that contain Zinc. Red meats, especially beef, lamb and liver have some of the highest concentrations of zinc in food. Zinc is also found in beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and blackcurrant. In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men.

In the end I read that Zinc benefits men more than women but with the hormone balancing possibilities, it’s definitely a conversation worth discussing at the doctor’s office.

6/5/10

References

http://www.thehair.com/vitamins/zinc.htm
http://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/zinc.html
http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/flu_common_cold.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc

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