This is the second article in our ongoing Forty Winkz series. Click below to read the other articles:
- Forty WInkz - The Basics
- Forty WInkz - The Importance of Zinc
- Forty WInkz - Why Magnesium is Essential
- Forty WInkz - Vitamin C, Pantethine and Choline Bitartrate
- Forty WInkz - An In-Depth Look
Zinc plays a number of different roles in your body, making it an extremely important nutrient to obtain. With this in mind, it’s also important to note that the body can’t produce zinc on its own. Obtaining zinc via your diet is key.
In this article we’ll discuss:
- Top roles of zinc
- Benefits of zinc
- The difference between zinc aspartate and zinc L-carnosine
Top Roles of Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that you need to get from your diet since your your body cannot produce it.
Zinc is found in every cell in your body. In fact, it’s necessary for the function of over 300 enzymes. Why are enzymes important. As it turns out, enzymes help speed up chemical reactions in your body.
Pretty crazy, huh?
These enzymes are responsible for a number of different functions including metabolism, digestion, nerve function and other processes. (1) Zinc is also a key component in cell growth, DNA synthesis and protein production.
By playing such a major role in so many bodily functions, it’s no wonder zinc has a clear amount of benefits for any individual, regardless of lifestyle. Some of the benefits of zinc include:
- Improves immune system function
- Decreases time of wound healing process
- Decreases inflammation
- Decreases risk of age-related diseases
Improves Immune System Function
Supplementing your diet with zinc can lead to stimulation of immune system cells and in turn helps the body fight off oxidative stress. Since zinc is necessary for every day cell function, it’s no secret that a deficiency in this nutrient could lead to a run down immune system.
Decreases Wound Healing Time
What we have yet to discuss is zinc’s role in collagen synthesis. This goes back to its role in cell production in general with collagen being no different. Zinc is often used as treatment for burns and other skin injuries. (2) in fact, one 12-week study took a look at 60 subjects with diabetic foot ulcers. These subjects were divided into two groups. One group took 220 mg of zinc sulfate supplements or a daily placebo. The group supplementing with zinc showed significant reductions in ulcer length. (3)
Decreases Inflammation
Zinc’s ability to improve immune system function and reduce oxidative stress has a direct role in its ability to reduce inflammation. While some oxidative stress and inflammation can be a good thing (as its the body’s natural way of trying to heal itself) unfortunately too much of it can lead to chronic inflammation. This type of inflammation is the foundation of most disease we see today.
Decreases Risk of Age-Related Disease
As zinc is able to reduce oxidative stress, this can be considered a preventative measure against age-related diseases. It also does this by helping fight off infection. One study examined older individuals consuming 45 mg of zinc per day, reducing their infection rates by over 65%. (4)
Forty Winkz (formerly ZMA Advanced)
So what type of zinc is used in Forty WInkz supplements?
While most brands use zinc aspartate, Earth Fed Muscle utilizes zinc L-carnosine instead.
Why?
Carnosine is a combination of histadine, beta-alanine and amino acids. It can be found in your brain and tissues as well as providing the body with antioxidants. Zinc carnosine in particular is important for gut health, improving DNA longevity, protecting your body from oxidative stress and improving exercise-induced stress.
Get your own Forty Winkz today and start seeing the power of zinc L-carnosine yourself.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24506795
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413488/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28395131
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3649098/