ZMA: Why Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B6 Are The New Go-To Supplements
The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but the latest product to hit the market and be received with notable fanfare is ZMA. Made from zinc, magnesium aspartate, and vitamin B6, ZMA has a considerable following thanks to its long list of impressive attributes, helping to improve overall health through an increased immunity, a faster metabolism, higher energy levels, and better sleep.
To understand how ZMA works, let’s break down its ingredients. First is the Z for zinc. Zinc is an essential nutrient, which means you must continuously replenish it because our bodies are not designed to produce zinc or store it. Zinc is linked to improvements in immune function, nerve function, wound healing, and growth and development, among other attributes. For young people, zinc can help treat and prevent acne. For older users, zinc is linked to reducing inflammation and treating diseases like pneumonia and age-related muscular degeneration. Zinc can be obtained through the foods we eat, like meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts, and dairy, but if you’re unable to get ample amounts of zinc in your diet, supplements like ZMA can help to ensure you’re still reaping all the benefits of zinc.
Next is magnesium aspartate, which is used to keep the level of magnesium in our bloodstreams high. Like zinc, a well-balanced diet helps to achieve healthy levels of magnesium, but this can be affected by diet, alcoholism, or other medical conditions like diabetes and digestion issues. Magnesium ensures that cells, nerves, bones, the heart, and muscles are all functioning correctly. It also helps with metabolism and contributes to a healthy sleep cycle.
As for Vitamin B6, it has a long list of advantages and is present in more than 100 enzyme reactions. Two of its most significant advantages are aiding with metabolism and helping to provide energy.
As with any supplement, we recommend checking with your healthcare provider before using a new supplement. It’s always important to follow the recommended dosage and never exceed the daily recommended intake.
A healthy diet is the best way to ensure your body is getting the nutrients that it needs, but busy schedules, access to specific food items, and medical conditions can all contribute to insufficiencies. That’s why ZMA is one of our new favorite supplements.