How Zinc Helps Your Bones

You may not think of zinc as a vital bone nutrient¹, yet without adequate zinc your bones cannot maintain themselves.  The status of zinc in bone is known to decline with age and especially for women following menopause.  Additionally, individuals with a history of smoking have an added risk for complications involving zinc status and bone health.

It has been known for a long time that the intake of zinc has a positive influence on bone mass.  The newer science has helped to clarify the multiple mechanisms involved with zinc and bones.  In general, zinc is required to activate genes involved with protein synthesis – which applies to your overall body as well as bones.  Zinc is an important co-factor in the stimulation of bone building osteoblasts, even helping to stimulate the production of new osteoblasts.  Conversely, zinc suppresses the excessive activity of the demo-crew osteoclasts Type of bone cell that removes old, damaged bone by the process bone resorption. that are out-of-control in situations of bone loss.  Zinc also activates death signals in old osteoclasts Type of bone cell that removes old, damaged bone by the process bone resorption., preventing them from acting inappropriately to remove bone.  Zinc helps to regulate the key inflammatory gene signal in bone marrow, NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. , which is required for optimal balancing of osteoblast and osteoclast formation and function.

The toxin cadmium Highly toxic heavy metal. Found in the mining, steel, iron, and electrical industry. Also found in common every day materials - paints, televisions, electrical equipment and more. Tobacco smoke is the single most important source of cadmium. Exposure to cadmium has been linked with several health concerns including lung and prostate cancer, kidney disorders, and other. is ingested during cigarette smoking and accumulates in bone while directly displacing zinc from bones.  This is one reason why smokers have poor bone strength, especially as they age.  When individuals begin to lose bone mass after age 50 then cadmium Highly toxic heavy metal. Found in the mining, steel, iron, and electrical industry. Also found in common every day materials - paints, televisions, electrical equipment and more. Tobacco smoke is the single most important source of cadmium. Exposure to cadmium has been linked with several health concerns including lung and prostate cancer, kidney disorders, and other., which was sequestered in bones for many years, now comes back into the general circulation and can enter the brain.  It is highly toxic to nerves.  Interestingly, zinc is required to run the metalloenzyme system that clears toxic metals such as cadmium Highly toxic heavy metal. Found in the mining, steel, iron, and electrical industry. Also found in common every day materials - paints, televisions, electrical equipment and more. Tobacco smoke is the single most important source of cadmium. Exposure to cadmium has been linked with several health concerns including lung and prostate cancer, kidney disorders, and other. out of the body.  This means former smokers have a higher need for zinc in older age simply to prevent nerve poisoning from cadmium Highly toxic heavy metal. Found in the mining, steel, iron, and electrical industry. Also found in common every day materials - paints, televisions, electrical equipment and more. Tobacco smoke is the single most important source of cadmium. Exposure to cadmium has been linked with several health concerns including lung and prostate cancer, kidney disorders, and other..  They also need the zinc to help improve existing bone health.

Adequate zinc is required for many healthy functions in your body.  Women may need 50-75 mgs of zinc per day (total in diet and vitamins) whereas men may need up to 100 mgs of zinc.  Not every one needs that much but many people do.  Reading my other articles on zinc can help you understand other factors that may indicate zinc supplementation is a good idea for you.