Zinc protects heart function in OSAZinc Is Indispensable in Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection against Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Left Ventricular Function Impairment in Rats.
Directly relates zinc to cardiac health.
We explored how zinc affects heart function in the context of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), specifically focusing on cases of intermittent hypoxia (IH). In a detailed study using male rats, researchers set up different groups: a control group and one that underwent 10 weeks of exercise training. Half of the rats in both groups were exposed to IH conditions to simulate the effects of sleep apnea.
The results were eye-opening. Rats that experienced IH showed notable impairment in their heart's left ventricular function, characterized by reduced ejection fraction and increased inflammation. However, when treated with zinc, these negative effects were significantly countered. Notably, those who exercised and received zinc treatment displayed improved heart function and antioxidant capabilities compared to their counterparts that did not receive zinc.
On the flip side, exercise alone did not provide the same protective benefits when zinc was absent. The findings suggest that zinc is essential not only for the heart's protection against the damaging effects of IH but also enhances the benefits of physical exercise. This research indicates the importance of zinc in potentially managing heart health in individuals suffering from sleep apnea.
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