Welcome to the Expert Q&A Section for September 2007. There's no arguement that your diet plays a vital role in muscle development. In this section of the magazine, our resident diet expert Doug Lawrenson answers a question sent in by one of our subscribers or forum members. If you have question you would like Doug to answer here, head over to our muscle building forum and post your question in this thread.

September Diet&Nutrition Question:

Is it true that Zinc will help with my training?

Answer:

Zinc is one of the most used minerals by the body. Zinc deficiency will decrease muscle strength and endurance. This mineral also promotes muscle tissue repair from heavy training and is reported to increase Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF1), growth hormone and testosterone. It also prevents the build up of lactic acid.

Zinc also plays a crucial role in growth and cell division where it is required for protein and DNA synthesis, in insulin activity, in the metabolism of the ovaries and testes, and in liver function. As a component of many enzymes, zinc is involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and energy. Zinc can be obtained by the diet, but only 20% of the zinc in food is absorbed by the body. Food sources of zinc are: Chickpeas, baked beans, pumpkin seeds, muesli, cheddar cheese, yogurt, wholemeal breads, and to a lesser degree in peanut butter, peas, dried figs, Brazil nuts, potatoes, oranges, almonds and dried fruit. For sports people the recommended intake is 15mg.

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About Doug Lawrenson:

Doug Lawrenson is our resident diet guru & fitness over on the Muscle&Strength Forum. Doug has had experience as a bodybuilder, coach and judge at national competition level. If you have questions for Doug or need some advice you can chat to Doug on the forum. Doug is on the forum almost every day!

Doug has written some in-depth and informative articles that have been featured on Muscle&Strength.com. To read some of his articles, check out the diet & nutrition articles section of this this website.