Plasma Zinc

What is plasma zinc and why does it matter for human performance?

Plasma zinc is crucial for human health, particularly for testosterone production, immunity, and cancer defence mechanisms. Zinc cannot be well-stored in the body, so regular dietary intake of zinc is important in preventing deficiency. Zinc deficiency can lead to reduced testosterone levels, affecting sexual development, fertility, and overall health. Zinc plays a vital role in the synthesis of testosterone, and its status is closely linked to serum testosterone levels. Studies have shown that zinc deficiency is associated with hypogonadism in men, and even marginal zinc deficiency can significantly decrease serum testosterone concentrations. Zinc supplementation has been shown to increase serum testosterone levels in individuals with zinc deficiency, highlighting its importance in modulating testosterone levels in normal men. An adequate level of zinc is essential for immune function and modulation of cancer risk due to its role as an antioxidant.