Why Is Zinc Good for Your Body?

With all the various zinc supplements at your local health store you may be wondering, "Why is zinc good for your body?" Aren't you getting enough through your diet as-is? Will taking extra zinc in addition to your regular multivitamin have potential downsides? These are good questions worth exploring.

Why is Zinc Good for Your Body

Zinc is among the most important

minerals in the body, right up there with calcium and magnesium, since it plays an important role in many cellular functions. It is also important for hair and skin health, eyesight, cognitive functions, and even taste and smell.

However, the most immediately observable effect is the impact on your immune system. Research has shown that zinc has a proven ability to fight colds and possibly shave days off the illness. Needless to say, this effect is good news all around, providing benefits and promoting good health across the board.

For men, zinc is particularly interesting since it has a direct link to the body's natural testosterone production. This hormone is what makes a man a man in everything from musculature and facial hair to performance in the bedroom. Zinc is also important for the prevention of estrogen production, which not only counteracts the natural testosterone but also increases the risk of heart problems and obesity.For women, research suggests sufficient zinc intake may take the edge off PMS symptoms. Pregnant women should also check their zinc intake, since lack of zinc almost doubles the risk of low birth weight. Lactating women transfer zinc to their babies; lack of zinc has been shown to make babies grow slower.

Lack of zinc has also been shown to have a clear link to anorexia and bulimia. Zinc has a big impact on how hunger is perceived; remove zinc and appetite dips. Remove the appetite, and skipping or purging meals on a regular basis--that would have provided the much-needed zinc--becomes that much easier. Thus the vicious circle feeds itself.

Why You Might Not Get Enough

Some medical conditions inhibit zinc absorption, notably chronic liver disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, chronic renal disease, and various types of absorption-related maladies of the gut. Vegetarians and those with sensitive digestive systems resulting in frequent diarrhea should also be careful. If you suspect you might be deficient, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test.
Where To Find Zinc

If you're a meat-eater, zinc usually isn't a big problem, but there are plenty of decent vegetarian sources too. Here are some foods rich in zinc:
Beef
Oysters
Chicken
Turkey
Shrimp
Yogurt
Pumpkin seeds
Almonds
Peanuts
Sunflower seeds

For best absorption, spread the intake over the day. Why is zinc good for your body in smaller doses? Studies are inconclusive, but it seems the body is simply better equipped to handle small, bite-size chunks than the full daily dose in one sitting.

How Much Is Too Much

The RDI for zinc is 11 mg per day for adult men and 9 mg per day for adult women (except pregnant/lactating women, in which case it's 11 and 12 mg per day, respectively). The upper limit for adult men and women is 40 mg/day before it becomes toxic (including pregnant/lactating women).


By Matt Danielsson


www.TrainEverhard.com

Why Should You Not Use Diet Pills?

There are two reasons The first is they just don't work.
Think about it. If any of this garbage worked, why would 2/3 of the adults in the US be overweight, obese, or morbidly obese? We would be lined up without having to spend a dime advertising if someone had the magic formula.
Alli is the only over the counter weight loss pill approved by the FDA. There are only three prescription weight loss medications approved.
Do you think that if any of them REALLY worked we would have a $60 billion a year industry in "weight loss" supplements? The big three pharmaceuticals would dominate the market.

Approved or otherwise, none of these weight loss supplements guarantee anything unless you establish a healthy diet and exercise program.
So why not just establish a healthy diet and exercise program and keep your money?
You will be spending somewhere between $2 and $10 per day on a product that is not approved or guaranteed to do anything!
The only weight loss supplement I recommend is a basic multivitamin.

And they are dangerous. Heart, liver, kidney, intestinal, and neurological damage and death have all been the result of diet pills. That is why the FDA hasn't approved any new ones for 14 years.
These supplement manufacturers are using human guinea pigs (you) for these products. As long as no one gets sick or dies, and they don't get fined or shut down they will keep making and selling this junk. Whether it works or not.

I say it over and over and over. "If any one of these products really worked, why are there so many?"

The other reason is because these products are not FDA approved, you can never know exactly what is in them. The "diet supplement " law of 1994 allows for the sale of unapproved supplements.
A very powerful lobby.

Kind of like buying a lottery ticket isn't it?

Source(s): EddySays

www.TrainEverhard.com

6 Important Reasons To Use A Weight Gainer!

Here are some important things to know about weight gainers and why you should consider using one.

There Are Some Important Things To Consider So

You Can Benefit From Taking A Weight Gainer.

1. Meeting Extreme Calorie Requirements

• The first really great thing about weight gainers is that they make meeting your calorie requirements much easier. If you're what's considered a 'hardgainer', someone who feels as though they have to eat and eat and eat in order to put on any muscle mass whatsoever, there's also a high chance that you're someone who feels as though if they have to look at another plate of food, you may just be viewing your last one shortly thereafter.
  Meeting the extreme calorie requirements that many men have proves to be incredibly trying and a weight gainer makes this far easier. If you consider the fact that there are weight gainers available that pack in over a thousand calories per shake you can quickly see how much more effectively you could reach your 4000+ calorie needs per day. 

It Can Be Hard To Getting In Your Daily Calorie

Requirements. A Weight Gainer Could Help.

2. Specially Formulated Fats Help You Stay Leaner

• A second big benefit to using a weight gainer is that many come with a particular type of dietary fat that helps to keep you leaner while you go about the muscle-building process. Dietary fat is perhaps the greatest variable macronutrient in terms of what the implications are of the type you take in on the body, therefore it's critical that you're being sure to take in the correct from as often as possible.
  You should always keep your eye out for a weight gainer that contains medium chain triglycerides and as little saturated fat as possible. 

3. Post-Workout And Daily Varieties Available

• Another great thing about weight gainers is you can find ones that are more formulated for using closer to your workout and others that are designed to be taken either as meal replacements or as an addition to the meals you're already eating to boost calorie levels up higher. 

• If you're hoping to use the weight gainer immediately before or after the workout period, look for one that contains as little fat as possible and that has a higher carbohydrate content. This is the prime time to feed your muscles fast acting carbohydrates so they can drive the insulin cycle and get the amino acids into the muscle cells quickly.
  Don't fear taking in more calories during this time of the day because it's at this point your body will make best use of them. If you are going to add a higher calorie weight gainer shake, this is the time to do it, provided you are keeping fat intake lower.
  Weider's Super Mega Mass 2000 is the perfect example of this containing 530 calories, 103 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein, and only 2 grams of fat. Taking this after a workout is a sure-fire strategy to get some serious growth happening. 

4. Differing Calorie Levels

• Again going back to the factor that you do only require so many calories to build muscle effectively, weight gainers come in a variety of different calorie levels, so be sure to match an appropriate one to your needs.
  There is a big difference between a four hundred calorie weight gainer and a nine hundred calorie weight gainer when taken on a daily basis over the course of a week. If you overshoot the calorie intake of the weight gainer you may find that you do start putting on fat mass, which is something most guys do aim to limit.
  Most guys should find they do well with a four hundred to six hundred calorie variety, and then those who really struggle to build mass can venture into the higher calorie formulas. Always error on the conservative side when first start out with a weight gainer as well so that you can be sure it reacts positively with your system.
  Those who are quite susceptible to indigestion or taking in larger volumes of calories at once may struggle with the higher calorie powders so work your way up to the larger calorie levels. 

Most Guys Should Do Well With A Four Hundred

To Six Hundred Calorie Weight Gainer.

5. Meet Your Creatine Needs More Effectively

• Another great reason to consider adding a weight gainer to your supplement program is because it'll kill a few birds with one stone. Not only will you no longer need a straight protein powder (unless you also plan on using lower calorie protein shakes as well), but many weight gainers come complete with creatine as well, eliminating the need to buy this product separately.
  Creatine is the perfect addition to most weight gainers because in order for creatine to work as effectively as possible, it's vital to take in a higher amount of quick acting carbs, which is what many weight gainers are made out of.
  If you do notice some initial water weight gain when first starting a weight gainer, keep in mind this is from the high influx of carbohydrates (which carry extra water molecules into the body) as well as the creatine. Give it a week or two and you should see this water retention leave the body. 

Creatine Is Vital To Take In A
Higher Amount Of Quick Acting Carbs.

6. Recover Faster With L-Glutamine

• Finally, the last reason why you should consider adding a weight gainer to your supplement mix is because of the enhanced recovery rates you'll have with it.
  Being able to recover from workout to workout is just as important, if not more important, than what you're doing in the gym, so if you aren't taking in an optimal amount of calories, you won't be guaranteeing your recovery rates.
  Further, like creatine, most weight gainers do double-duty and also pack in some l-glutamine, which is a particular amino acid that really plays a large role in a speedy recovery.
  L-Glutamine will also work to support a healthy immune system, decreasing the risk that you have to miss out on your training sessions because of illness. 

Conclusion

So be sure you keep these points in mind. When used properly weight gainers can give you the 'edge' you need to take your muscle building to a whole new level.

www.TrainEverHard.com