Vegetarians may be at risk for zinc deficiency.
Vegetarian Zinc Requirements
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And before we leave the topic, just as the iron requirements in menstruating women are higher than men—because some iron is lost every month in the menstrual flow—the zinc requirements in men are higher than women—because some zinc is lost in semen.
Because the zinc in plant foods isn’t absorbed as well as the zinc in flesh foods, a study published earlier this year found relatively low blood zinc levels in vegetarians. So, anyone eating plant-based diets—men or women—should make sure they eat whole grains, beans, and nuts every day. But some men might just require more than others.
To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by veganmontreal.
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- Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Sadio SM, Hauser R. Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic. Hum Reprod. 2008 Nov;23(11):2584-90. Epub 2008 Jul 23.
- de Bortoli MC, Cozzolino SM. Zinc and selenium nutritional status in vegetarians. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2009 Mar;127(3):228-33. Epub 2008 Oct 25.
Image thanks to Vidya Crawley via Flickr.
And before we leave the topic, just as the iron requirements in menstruating women are higher than men—because some iron is lost every month in the menstrual flow—the zinc requirements in men are higher than women—because some zinc is lost in semen.
Because the zinc in plant foods isn’t absorbed as well as the zinc in flesh foods, a study published earlier this year found relatively low blood zinc levels in vegetarians. So, anyone eating plant-based diets—men or women—should make sure they eat whole grains, beans, and nuts every day. But some men might just require more than others.
To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by veganmontreal.
Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.
- Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Sadio SM, Hauser R. Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic. Hum Reprod. 2008 Nov;23(11):2584-90. Epub 2008 Jul 23.
- de Bortoli MC, Cozzolino SM. Zinc and selenium nutritional status in vegetarians. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2009 Mar;127(3):228-33. Epub 2008 Oct 25.
Image thanks to Vidya Crawley via Flickr.
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Vegetarian Zinc Requirements
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Content URLDoctor's Note
Also check out these videos on potential nutrient deficiencies associated with plant-based diets:
Safest Source of B12
Vitamin B12 Necessary for Arterial Health
And check out my other videos on zinc and vegetarians.
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