Zinc & better sleep

After iron, zinc is the most abundant mineral in the body. Zinc is essential for prostate function, bone growth, fertility, taste perception, cognitive functions and wound healing, among other things. It is also very important for neurogenesis and zinc is used in your hippocampus to store memories. Not long ago, researchers found out that zinc also has a major impact on sleep. You can read more about this later in this article.

Good sleep is very important We first look at the importance of sleep. Because although it is very important for everyone and we all do it daily, there is still a lot of confusion about sleep. Without sleep, we obviously cannot survive, and sleep problems can result in medical problems. For instance, if you lack sleep, you have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, mental health problems and concentration problems. This alone shows the importance of a good night's sleep. While sleeping, you give your body a chance to rest both physically and mentally to be ready for a new day when you wake up. The problem, however, is that many people do not know how to sleep better. So scientists have now found out that zinc, along with a lot of other factors, also plays a role in this. That role is bigger and more important than expected.

What exactly is zinc?
Zinc, as mentioned, is a mineral. More specifically, it is a trace element, just like chromium and iodine, for example. These are minerals that a body only needs a small amount of. Zinc is involved in your metabolism, as part of enzymes. It is also used in tissue and protein development. Zinc is partly responsible for healthy bones, healthy hair and healthy skin. Memory, the immune system and fertility also need zinc for proper function.

How does zinc work and why does it help with a sleep problem?

So zinc is important for good sleep, but what exactly is this about? In 2009, scientists discovered the connection during a study. Participants in the study with high percentages of zinc in their blood had a good sleep rhythm, unlike many other participants. Subsequent studies have also shown that a high concentration of zinc is important for good sleep. Especially in children, zinc plays a major role, where it is important to note that children who have low zinc in their blood at a young age often develop sleep problems later in life.

People with zinc deficiency and poor sleep rhythms have developed much better sleep patterns after zinc supplementation, proving its effect.

Scientists suspect that certain signals in your brain are activated that help you fall asleep at a certain zinc level. In addition, healthy zinc levels seem to stimulate the non-REM sleep phase. During this phase, you are not in deep sleep and do not dream, but your body and mind are given time to recover. Zinc does not directly cause you to fall asleep, but it does shorten the time it takes you to fall asleep. On top of that, a healthy concentration of zinc improves sleep quality.