To take or not to take: Zinc

[treilin]

O.k. so I am down another alley this week.... Researching Zinc.
I have read it is good with increasing Testosterone levels, reducing colds, night blindness, and levels are decreased especially those who have Diabetes.

I have two people that I have talked with that swear by it... What is your thoughts or experiences with it???

This is some what I dug up just about the dosages:

"The RDAs for zinc are: 15 milligrams for men, 12 for women,
3 for infants, 10 for children ages 1 to 10, 15 for pregnant women and 16 to
19 for those nursing.

Older people may require higher amounts as our ability to absorb zinc
decreases with age.

Athletes may require more as sweating can cause a significant loss. Those on
diets may have an increased need as well.

It is generally agreed and recommended that adults, especially athletes,
take 30 milligrams daily. Many people take up to 50 milligrams a day, and
this is considered safe, but higher levels than this are not recommended and
could have adverse effects on health.

It is a good idea to take supplement copper whenever zinc is taken, about 1
milligram of copper for every 10 of zinc. It is also suggested that you take
50 to 200 micrograms of selenium as well.

Stay
away from zinc sulfate as this can cause stomach irritation. Zinc gluconate
is a good type, and is absorbed well. The types of zinc used in many
multi-supplements are often absorbed poorly.

Toxicity: Ingesting zinc in large amounts (200 to 800 mg/day), usually by consuming acidic food or drink from a galvanized container, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Doses of zinc ranging from 100 to 150 mg/day interfere with copper metabolism and cause hypocupremia, RBC microcytosis, and neutropenia. Metal fume fever, also called brass-founders' ague or zinc shakes, is an industrial hazard caused by inhaling zinc oxide fumes; it results in neurologic damage.

So consume:
Zinc to copper 1 to 10 ratio ; with 50-200 mcg’s of selenium."

 

[Sassy69]

I've taken zinc lozenges for a cold / sore throat. I'd have to look at my vitamins to see if ziinc is present there. Otherwise I hadn't really given it a thought.

 

[scorpiogirl]

I've taken zinc since I was 9 or 10. Can't really say if I noticed anything or not.....BUT I'M STILL ALIVE!!! lol

 

[Miss24k]

I was taking ZMA awhile ago when I was working on adding size, I noticed I slept like a baby with it.

 

[wlmcrae]

Zinc works in tandem with Vitamin A to drastically improve immune function. It is the 'gateway' that allows the liver to release Vitamin A.

That's about all I know about it!

 

[iceprincess]

I was taking ZMA awhile ago when I was working on adding size, I noticed I slept like a baby with it.

I second the above!! I love it - it allows me to fall asleep in a relatively short amount of time PLUS there is so much research that reveals many other positive effects of it.

 

[Funny_Bunny]

I just take a multivitamin every day, I think it has zinc in it

 

[treilin]

I just take a multivitamin every day, I think it has zinc in it

But the zinc in a multivitamin is mostly passed on through urine as is not absorbed as readily as taking a supplement of zinc. Also depends on your multivitamin.... Not every multivitamin is easily absorbed the cheaper ones pretty much are just passed through the system.

Zinc works with vitamin C which works with Vitamin E, which helps to release vitamin A. The report below stated in my initial post, taking it with copper 1 to 10 ratio ; with 50-200 mcg’s of selenium. Still not an expert on this one but I know it decreases the other minerals that's why they suggest adding selenium and copper. I also read "Blood levels of vitamin E may also be decreased with zinc deficiency" ... "there is little evidence for the long-term safety of vitamin E supplementation"

Here is a site of more info about vitamins and this one directs you to Zinc:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html

Not so sure whether it is good to add or not to add!? It shows vegetarians need to take a zinc supplement more so then people who eat meat since zinc is present in meat and absorbed by the body. Where plant sources of zinc are not as easily absorbed.

Selenium is also obtained through meat where the animal ate grains or plants grown in selenium rich soil. Selenium is pretty much taken in through vegetables. "northern Nebraska and the Dakotas have very high levels of selenium. People living in those regions generally have the highest selenium intakes in the United States (U.S.) [8]. In the U.S., food distribution patterns across the country help prevent people living in low-selenium geographic areas from having low dietary selenium intakes"

So it appears as though selenium should not be an issue in our diets, Zinc shouldn't necessarily be an issue since most of us eat a lot of meat, Vitamin E deficiency is not that common unless the person has an issue with absorbing fats (ie. Chrons disease or colitis) in that case there is a unique vitamin E that is water soluble. Since we do eat a lot of meat there is a lot of cellular waste and taking extra vitamin C & E which are anti-oxidants should help protect us and aid in detoxification.

Sooo I'm still weighing the option to take Zinc, or not to take Zinc?!?!
Need more research...

 

[Miss24k]

If you want to know if your supplements are getting absorbed, drop 1 in some vinegar if it dissolves it's of quality and you are absorbing it, if it doesn't you better change brands

 

[treilin]

If you want to know if your supplements are getting absorbed, drop 1 in some vinegar if it dissolves it's of quality and you are absorbing it, if it doesn't you better change brands

Never heard that! How long should it take to dissolve?
Thanks!