Evidence check: Zink in the context of Fruchtbarkeit

Zinc is important for fertility in both men and women. It supports sperm production, egg maturation, and hormone regulation. Zinc deficiency can impair fertility, but excess zinc is also harmful. Evidence is mainly from observational and mechanistic studies—randomized controlled trials with hard fertility endpoints are limited. Therefore, the predictive power of home tests (DNA or blood) is moderate. A blood test can measure current zinc status, but interpretation is not always straightforward. Supplementation should only be done after consulting a doctor, as high zinc intake can interfere with copper absorption. Genetic variants (e.g., SLC30A8, SLC39A8) have small effects. Overall, zinc is relevant but not a magic bullet. A balanced diet with zinc-rich foods (oysters, meat, nuts) is usually sufficient.