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Weight Loss News From Byron J. Richards
Zinc, Alcohol Damage, and Thyroid FunctionTuesday, February 17, 2009 - Byron J. Richards, CCNSeveral new studies on zinc show an amazing ability to protect against alcohol damage. The data raises several interesting points – one of which is protecting yourself from alcohol intake and another is on general zinc deficiency, including alcohol induced, and its affect on thyroid function. A fascinating new animal study showed that zinc supplementation was able to guard against the adverse effects of alcohol during pregnancy, including still births and mortality in early life. This is a major finding and goes along with another recent study showing that zinc protects against damage to the digestive tract from alcohol. In adults, low zinc is associated with alcohol-induced liver damage and zinc is know to reduce that damage, partly by boosting the enzyme that clears alcohol (similar to pantethine supplementation). Zinc has been found to enhance antioxidant capability in the liver, as well as boost a main metal detoxifying compound called metallothionein (MT). Low MT levels sensitize the liver to damage, which is also a main finding in the two studies mentioned above. By stabilizing the GI tract, inflammation is reduced. Collectively, all this information means that it is prudent to take zinc (25 to 50 mg) before any alcohol ingestion to protect against any potential problems. Even moderate drinkers may want to take an extra 25 mg of zinc for this purpose on any given alcohol consumption day, as would any woman who may be pregnant and not know it (one excess drinking experience during pregnancy can cause life-long damage). Additionally, it is also known that zinc is important as a cofactor for thyroid function. This means that if alcohol is inducing low zinc, then this can cause low thyroid and weight gain. Zinc can also be depleted from stress, heavy sweating, or a diet that is lacking (no red meat). Zinc is a key mineral that helps make thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) in your brain, which then signals your pituitary to make thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In men, the failure to do this also results in low testosterone. Low zinc is associated with low T3 (active thyroid hormone) and a reduced ability to convert T4 to T3 (similar to the need for selenium). The take home message is that if you struggle with low thyroid symptoms and consume any amount of alcohol you should take some extra zinc. And even if you don’t consume alcohol you could still be lacking zinc and may need some to get your metabolism into gear. A lack of sex drive would be one sign of need (for both men and women). Related Entries: Top Thyroid Stories of the Past YearLeptin, Thyroid, and Weight Loss Tocotrienols Offset Alcohol-Induced Nerve Damage Alcohol May Disturb Your Sleep and Biological Clock Prostate Cancer and Zinc – Can Zinc Be Overdone? Alcohol-Related Acetaldehyde Increases Cancer Risk ### Supplements that contain zinc Other Weight Loss News
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