How Zinc Helps Egg and Sperm Quality for Fertility & Pregnancy
Why is zinc important for fertility, pregnancy & general immunity?
Zinc is commonly thought of as something that helps to strengthen our immune system, as an antioxidant or something we might take when we have a cold. HOWEVER it also helps replicate DNA to make new cells which are essential to having healthy eggs & sperm and making healthy babies!
Many men & women don’t have optimal zinc levels due to ongoing infections, chronic inflammation, and low dietary intake of protein & zinc (see below).
The Pill also reduces zinc levels over time so you may need more than you think.
Zinc levels affect fertility
Women with low zinc levels took longer to fall pregnant, according to this 2019 Australian study. This is new research so scientists are still working out EXACTLY how this works.
There is also emerging evidence that being zinc deficient before ovulation, affects the maturing of your eggs AND affects pre-implantation development. This makes sense given good zinc levels are needed for making DNA and new cells! However, more research is needed to confirm this.
Some Auto-Immune conditions are linked to infertility & higher miscarriage risks. This 2018 Systematic Review found that across a broad range of conditions, there was consistently low zinc levels in those with an AI conditions. This is likely due to a higher amount of zinc is being used by the body to help counteract inflammation and in an AI condition, there is plenty of inflammation happening!
See more on how we integrate Functional Medicine with Acupuncture for fertility.
Why is zinc important for pregnancy?
You need adequate zinc levels to make more DNA and new cells to grow a tiny human. Due to these increased demands for zinc in pregnancy, many women have low levels.
This 2016 Systematic Review found there is a link between low zinc levels and the severity of Pre-Eclampsia. The lower the zinc levels, the more severe the symptoms of Pre Eclampsia.
This 2015 study found low zinc levels during embryogenesis can affect a babies organ development & function! Yikes.
See more on how Acupuncture can help support pregnancy.
How much zinc do I need and where can I get it?
Make sure you’re having plenty of protein to help absorb the zinc
If you need to supplement with iron to prevent anaemia, ensure youre getting loads of zinc too.
You need a minimum of 8mg of zinc per day for women, 14mg for men & a daily minimum of 11mg for pregnant women.
To correct a deficiency, you'll likely need more.
Zinc testing & supplementing
If you get colds often/they last for ages or, have tiny white marks on your nails, you’re likely low in zinc. Have lots of zinc foods, take a good multi with zinc in it and consider taking an extra zinc tablet when needed.
If you are thinking about having a baby soon, actively trying or are already pregnant, finding out your actual zinc levels is important.
Get tested. Some people need a little extra zinc, some people need a lot. Either see your GP for an easy blood test or get it done privately with no appointments and results emailed to you in a couple of days.
Have your levels ideally between 15-18umol/L.
The reference ranges of 10-18umol/L on your blood test are for everyone (70 year old men too!) and arent specific for optimal fertility and pregnancy. As your body has increased needs during pregnancy, ensuring you have really great levels, not just barely ok levels is important
Retest! If you're supplementing zinc in high doses, you need to retest. Too much zinc can be an issue. Retest when your practitioner recommends to ensure safe levels.
Having optimal Zinc levels helps strengthen your immune system, is associated with:
better quality eggs
embryonic development
decreases the time to fall pregnant
associated with minimised Pre-Eclampsia
It’s really important to have really good levels!!
At Embrace Acupuncture we work with where your body is at now.
We use the best combination of Eastern & Functional Medicine for your health goals.