ZMO

Magnesium is a key mineral contributing to performance and overall health alike. However, certain forms of magnesium often used in sports supplements are poorly absorbed and may cause laxative effects. Transparent Labs ZMO contains Magnesium Bisglycinate, a non-laxative, highly bioavailable form of magnesium [1].

Compared to zinc, magnesium shows greater promise in positively affecting testosterone levels. A recent 2010 study found that sedentary and athletic males displayed increases in testosterone via magnesium supplementation. The greatest increase was in athletic individuals, as exercise also increases testosterone [2].

Aside from testosterone, magnesium supplementation is linked to greater insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure, and reduced stress/anxiety [3, 4, 5].

Compared to other zinc sources, zinc picolinate has long been established as one of the most bioavailable supplemental forms [6]. 

Most people understand that zinc is an essential mineral, but zinc in and of itself isn’t an unregulated testosterone booster; however, zinc deficiency will lead to suboptimal testosterone levels in men. This has been evaluated in many studies, one of which found that testosterone levels quickly normalized after restoring healthy zinc levels through supplementation [7]. 

Zinc is also one of the key minerals responsible for healthy thyroid function, and zinc deficiency negatively affects thyroid hormone production. This reduces basal metabolic rate (caloric burn) and protein utilization in the body [8].

Prolonged exhaustion exercise has been found to significantly reduce concentrations of both thyroid hormones and testosterone in athletes. Evidence suggests that this reduction can be prevented with long-term zinc supplementation, thus benefiting performance [9].

The flesh (meat) of oysters is regarded as a potent aphrodisiac due to its naturally high zinc and magnesium concentrations. In addition, oyster meat is rich in important trace minerals that act as co-enzymes in the body and maximize zinc and magnesium utilization. The micronutrient-dense nature of oyster meat has led to several studies investigating its implications for increasing endurance, antioxidant status, and immune function in athletes [10, 11, 12].