ZMA is the generic name given to the popular recovery supplement, comprised of the minerals zinc and magnesium.
Zinc contributes to testosterone production; maintaining normal levels in the blood supports the synthesis of carbohydrates and protein, as well as cognitive function. It’s also required for healthy fertility/reproduction – especially in men. Zinc has been found to have antioxidant properties and helps to keeps the immune system ticking over; it promotes wound healing, too.
Approximately 25% of the body’s magnesium levels are found in muscle tissue; optimum intake is essential to the contraction/relaxation of muscles. This applies to skeletal muscle, along with that of the digestive tract and the heart (cardiac tissue). As a nutrient, magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions; these include the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – the ‘energy currency’ of the body. It’s also dubbed as a powerful muscle relaxant – augmenting recovery for this reason alone – by helping to relieve spasms and delayed onset muscle fatigue (DOMS).
Additional ingredients can vary across brands, but you could also find the trace elements copper and boron; the former is needed for the structural integrity of muscle, bone and... Read More