The 1 Mineral You're Not Getting Enough Of | Men's Health News

Who knew zinc was so tasty?

Order the steak tonight, get the health benefits later. According to new research from Oregon State University, zinc?found in foods like red meat?could have protective properties against degenerative heart disease and even prostate cancer down the road.

Researchers found that nearly 40 percent of people older than 60 have low levels of the mineral, an amount that can contribute to increased inflammation and disrupt how your DNA gets repaired and expressed. In turn, those can both be sure-fire causes of diseases like cancer, the researchers say. (What?s your cancer risk? Calculate it here.)

As you age, your ability to absorb zinc decreases. So while you may be in the clear now, it?s difficult to detect exactly when you become deficient, says Alexandra Caspero, R.D., owner of weight-management and sports-nutrition service Delicious-Knowledge.com. That?s why boosting your zinc intake right now may be the best way to stay at a lifelong healthy level, Caspero says.

Plus, skimping on zinc?at any age may contribute to prostate cancer. A 2010 study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that prostate cancer patients ages 45 to 79 who ate a diet rich in zinc were 74 percent less likely to die of the disease.

Your move: Go above the recommended dose of 11 milligrams per day, Caspero says. (Vegetarians are most at risk of being too low since zinc is primarily found in meat, poultry, and seafood.) In addition to those sources, load up on mushrooms, yogurt, and oysters, which pack the biggest nutritional punch at 74 milligrams per serving.

And if you prefer your nutrients in pill form, try Nature Made Zinc. (100 30-mg tablets, $8, amazon.com.) Overwhelmed by the vitamin aisle? Find out what your body really needs in our guide to The Best Supplements for Men.

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Source: http://news.menshealth.com/why-you-need-more-zinc/2012/10/04/

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