I have practiced hormone, weight, health, and mind optimization for over forty-five years. I retired 9 years ago; at least, that is what I thought. When I retired, my wife and I owned and operated seven medical clinics specializing in hormone and weight optimization. As we enter our pauses (menopause and andropause), our hormones become disrupted, causing us to gain weight, suffer from the inability to lose the extra weight, sleeping disorders, hormonally induced anxiety and depression, loss of interest in being intimate, and lose our motivation to be social. Our internal chemistry, our hormones, governs how we feel, look, live, and think. Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, which over 30,000 'paused' women and men already have, by entering your email address below and learn the tools we use to optimize our hormones and weight ‘naturally.’
The Pause - Menopause and Zinc
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Did you know that consuming zinc helps tame the symptoms of menopause? So, why should you eat oysters? I'll HOPE it out for you. HORMONE OPTIMIZATION Most women in menopause have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, weight gain, weight loss resistance, hair and eyebrow loss, dry skin, and fatigue. They have their doctors test their thyroid function and are told their thyroids are "normal." When I look at their lab work, I often see a Thyroid Conversion Disorder. This is caused by a lack of an enzyme that cleaves off an iodine molecule from the weak thryoid hormone called T4 to make the strong active form of the thyroid hormone, T3. The first step within the HOPE For Thyroid Protocol was to get the proper tests: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and TPOs. If you want to take it one step further, test rT3. The second step was to have me look over your tests to see if they indicate Thyroid Conversion Disorder. Your TSH should be around 1.5, Free T4 in the top 50%, and Free T3 in the top 25%. There should be a minimum number of TPOs, ideally none. The Third step, if your tests look like you may have Thyroid Conversion Disorder, you will need to get more selenium into your diet by eating Brazil Nuts or taking a selenium supplement. Selenium helps convert T4 into T3 via the enzyme iodothyronine deiodinase, which requires selenium to function. The Fourth step to take is to add zinc to your menu. Zinc supports the creation of thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) in the brain which tells the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Zinc also helps thyroid receptors floating like boats on every cell to respond to T3. "Without zinc, your body might not “hear” the thyroid hormones selenium helped activate." A deficiency in one can block the other. Supplementing selenium without enough zinc in your body may blunt your thyroid progress because zinc is a factor in multiple steps of thyroid production. The lack of zinc can even cause imbalances in other minerals like copper, leading to hair loss, fatigue, and mood swings—yep, all the things you're trying to fix. "Taking selenium without zinc for thyroid support is like filling up a car with no engine—without zinc, selenium has no power to go anywhere." If I had a thyroid conversion disorder and I was going to take zinc and selenium in supplement form this is how I would dose them.
Together, once daily with food after I had consulted with my health care practitioner. "Selenium gets the hormone active; zinc ensures its message is delivered and received." Do you want to learn more about optimizing thyroid function and losing weight to feel great? Click here to talk to me for FREE --> Thyroid Consult OPTIMAL WEIGHT Since we are discussing zinc, and you probably already know, I believe in eating your nutrients more than supplementation, here are some foods you should eat if you suffer from a thyroid conversion disorder. Top Food Sources of Zinc(ranked by bioavailability + thyroid-friendliness): Animal-Based (most bioavailable)These pack the biggest punch for zinc absorption:
Seafood Heroes
Plant-Based (if you must)Still helpful, but not as bioavailable due to phytic acid (which binds zinc):
Mac Hack: Soak, sprout, or ferment these plant sources to make their zinc more absorbable. Zinc + Selenium Thyroid Food Combo Ideas:
Click the link below to download my favorite zinc and selenium-filled meal recipe. Sardine salad with pumpkin seeds recipe download If you need a weight optimization program, click the link below to schedule your initial consultation for a free weight loss program. Optimal Weight FREE Week of Coaching PURIFICATION PROTOCOLS Under the third strand of HOPE, we optimize health. We optimize three organs: the liver, the gut, and the brain. THE LIVER Let's examine how zinc-laden foods can help the liver. Zinc is like the liver’s trusty sidekick—quiet, underrated, but essential for keeping the detox superhero in action. Here’s how zinc helps your liver function like a champ: Zinc is a cofactor for superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant enzyme that helps neutralize free radicals in the liver. This reduces oxidative stress and helps prevent liver cell damage, which is especially important in fatty liver disease and inflammation. Your liver is a detox machine, and zinc helps activate enzymes in phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification. The liver filters out toxins, generally human-made stuff, burns them (Phase 1), and then flushes the ashes (Phase 2). NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which menopausal women need to be concerned about when it comes to balancing hormones and losing weight, is driven by chronic inflammation. "I have rarely tested an overweight menopausal woman who did not have NAFLD." Zinc helps reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, calming down the immune storm and letting your liver breathe easily. Zinc supports cellular repair and regeneration, meaning it may help damaged liver tissue heal. It has been found that patients with chronic liver disease have high ALT and AST levels and low levels of zinc. Science has also found that zinc supplementation can improve ALT and AST levels. THE GUT Zinc patches leaky gut—the duct tape of your intestinal lining. Here's how zinc works its gut-sealing magic: Your gut lining is held together by "tight junctions"—microscopic bouncers that keep harmful stuff out of your bloodstream. When these junctions break down, you get a leaky gut. Zinc helps repair and strengthen these junctions, keeping the gut lining sealed and selective about what gets through. A leaky gut often comes with inflammation. Zinc has anti-inflammatory powers, calming the chaos and allowing your gut to heal instead of constantly fighting fires. Zinc helps produce mucin, a protective gel-like layer that coats your intestines. Think of it as your gut’s nonstick coating—it keeps harmful bacteria and toxins from attaching to your gut wall. A healthier gut lining makes a better home for friendly bacteria, and zinc helps support microbial balance. Fewer pathogenic bacteria and more beneficial strains equal less inflammation and better gut integrity. Studies have shown that zinc carnosine—a specific form of zinc—can heal intestinal permeability, reduce symptoms of IBS and gut inflammation, and support the healing of gut ulcers. THE BRAIN Zinc is like the brain’s behind-the-scenes tech support—quietly running updates, fixing glitches, and optimizing performance without needing a lot of credit. Here’s how it sharpens your mental game: Zinc is involved in the function of key brain messengers like glutamate and GABA—the gas and brakes of your nervous system. It helps balance excitatory and calming signals, which supports focus, calmness, and emotional regulation. Zinc plays a key role in neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) and synaptic plasticity (how well brain cells talk to each other). It helps with learning, memory, and adapting to new information. Chronic inflammation is brain poison. Zinc helps regulate the immune response and reduces neuroinflammation, which is linked to foggy thinking, low mood, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Low zinc levels have been linked to anxiety and depression. Supplementing zinc may increase serotonin activity and enhance the effect of antidepressants, giving your mood a natural lift. As mentioned, zinc helps activate superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that not only protects the liver from rusting but the brain too. Cellular “rust” accelerates aging and cognitive decline. Zinc deficiency is linked to cognitive decline, especially in aging adults. Adequate zinc may help with ADHD symptoms, memory, and mental clarity. It also supports the blood-brain barrier, your brain’s elite security system. Optimize your liver, gut, and brain to have a long lifespan and a health span that matches it. Click the link below to get started on extending your healthspan. Health Optimization Consultation ENLIGHTENMENT COACHING When it comes to zinc for menopausal support, we’re looking to optimize:
Below, I placed Amazon links to my favorite zinc supplements. Here’s your Zinc Menopause Supplement Cheat Sheet—Doc Mac approved: Best Zinc Forms for Menopausal Women
Dosage for Menopause
What Zinc Helps with During Menopause
"Tame Menopause, increase your zinc intake by eating an oyster once a week." –Doc Mac Click here to start taming menopause --> Menopause Relief Consultation THIS WEEK'S US-IE 🦪 The Macs Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including zinc, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are taking medications. Individual needs may vary; this content does not replace professional medical guidance. © 2025 Doc Mac Coaching. All rights reserved. |
Hi! I'm Doc Mac.
I have practiced hormone, weight, health, and mind optimization for over forty-five years. I retired 9 years ago; at least, that is what I thought. When I retired, my wife and I owned and operated seven medical clinics specializing in hormone and weight optimization. As we enter our pauses (menopause and andropause), our hormones become disrupted, causing us to gain weight, suffer from the inability to lose the extra weight, sleeping disorders, hormonally induced anxiety and depression, loss of interest in being intimate, and lose our motivation to be social. Our internal chemistry, our hormones, governs how we feel, look, live, and think. Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, which over 30,000 'paused' women and men already have, by entering your email address below and learn the tools we use to optimize our hormones and weight ‘naturally.’
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