Zinc Intake may be a key to Athletic Performance

by | Jul 5, 2011 | 2005, Fitness and Exercise, Minerals, Zinc

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Low zinc diets decreased maximum oxygen uptake.

A new study (4)  suggests that enhancing athletic performance may only be 20 mg of a simple mineral away.  In the study, researchers had 14 men aged 20–31 years follow either a low-zinc (3.8 mg per day) or supplemented (18.7 mg per day) diet for nine weeks.  They then proceeded to study peak work capacity in the subjects via a cycle ergometer (70% peak intensity for 45 minutes) during the second and ninth weeks of each diet period.

They found that the low-zinc diets decreased peak oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, respiratory exchange and red blood cell zinc levels during the prolonged, sub-maximal exercise.

These results led the researchers to conclude that “low dietary zinc is associated with significant reductions in zinc status and impaired metabolic responses during exercise.”  This small study should be confirmed with larger studies.

Source: Lukaski, Henry C. “Low dietary zinc decreases erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase activities and impairs cardiorespiratory function in men during exercise.” The American journal of clinical nutrition 81.5 (2005): 1045-1051.

© 2005 American Society for Clinical Nutrition

Posted July 5, 2011.

References:

  1. “Supplement Pose Danger to Teens” posted on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Website
  2. Haff, GG. The Effect of 6 Weeks of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Dynamic Rate of Force Development. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. November 2000(14) pg. 426-433.
  3. Brown, L. Incledon, T. L-carnitine and Aerobic Exercise. The Strength and Conditioning Journal, October 1999 (21) pg. 36-37.
  4. Lukaski HC.  Low dietary zinc decreases erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase activities and impairs cardiorespiratory function in men during exercise.  Am J Clin Nutr 2005 81: 1045-1051.