When you hear "essential vitamins and minerals," your mind probably doesn't veer toward the potential harm they can do. In fact, many of us have to supplement our diets to bolster our health and ensure we have enough nutrients for our bodies to operate at peak performance. But a new study found that one essential mineral, zinc, may actually up the risk of endometriosis.
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The study, published in BMC Public Health on Oct. 23, examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Study investigators analyzed information from 4,315 American women between the ages of 20 and 54 between 1996 and 2006, identifying the positive correlation between dietary zinc intake and risk of endometriosis.
According to Mayo Clinic, most people get a sufficient amount of zinc through their diet, as the nutrient is found in foods like chicken, red meat, and fortified breakfast cereals. The mineral supports the immune system and metabolism, wound healing, and the sense of taste and smell. (Too much zinc can suppress the immune system, while too little can raise the risk of certain diseases by altering immune cell counts and function.)
As the recent study points out, zinc is also involved in reproductive potential and may be connected to the prevalence of endometriosis. The condition occurs when tissue similar to the kind found in the uterus grows on other parts of the body, resulting in painful symptoms and potentially affecting the menstrual cycle, fertility, and daily life.
In the study, women self-reported whether they had an endometriosis diagnosis. They also completed a dietary survey recalling their food and beverage intake for the 24 hours before the interview. Afterward, investigators calculated dietary zinc and nutrient consumption.
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Of the 4,315 women included, 331 (7.7 percent) had an endometriosis diagnosis. Even after adjustment for factors like activity levels, race, age, smoking status, etc., the association between higher zinc intake and endometriosis remained. In fact, women who consumed more than 14 milligrams of zinc each day were found to have a 60 percent higher risk of developing endometriosis when compared to those consuming 8 milligrams or less. Those who consumed between 8 and 14 milligrams did not have a statistically significantly increased risk.
Because zinc plays a role in reproductive processes, the researchers noted that its impact on endometriosis "deserves further exploration." In endometriosis, zinc plays a role in immune responses and oxidative stress, which are both "key factors in the disease's progression." Zinc is also in charge of regulating enzymes connected to tissue growth, which "may affect the invasiveness of endometriotic lesions," the study authors wrote.
Mayo Clinic notes that 8 milligrams of zinc is the recommended daily amount for women (11 milligrams for men). In light of the study findings, adhering to this recommendation may lower the risk of endometriosis, but it's also important to consider certain limitations. The research was observational, so a more definitive trial showing a direct cause and effect (like a randomized control trial) is needed.
With this in mind, it's also important to talk to a healthcare professional before adding a zinc supplement. Eliza Whitaker, MS, RDN, founder of Nourished Nutrition and Fitness, told Medical News Today that supplements can lead to you taking in more zinc than you need, especially if you're already getting enough from your diet.
