Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is crucial for maintaining human health. It is second only to iron as the most abundant trace mineral in our bodies and is vital for numerous biological functions. Zinc is required for the activity of over 300 enzymes that aid in metabolism, digestion, nerve function, and many other processes which this article will explore in detail.
The human body does not have a specialized zinc storage system, so regular intake through diet or supplements is necessary to meet daily requirements. Given its wide-reaching effects on vital physiological functions, understanding zinc’s roles and ensuring adequate intake are critical for maintaining one’s health and performance.
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a silvery-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed.
As a trace mineral, zinc is a key component of many enzymes, serving as an essential catalyst in enzymatic reactions that facilitate necessary biochemical pathways within the body. It also plays a role in the structural integrity of proteins and cell membranes, helping cells to maintain their shape and functionality.
Amounts of Zinc Intake
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc is:
- Children (4-8 years): 5 mg/day
- Males: 11 mg/day
- Females: 8 mg/day, but this increases during pregnancy and lactation.
Zinc Toxicity
Zinc toxicity typically occurs when someone ingests high doses of zinc supplements, far exceeding the recommended daily intake. This typically occurs in excess of 40 mg per day for adults. Symptoms of acute zinc toxicity include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.
In severe cases, zinc toxicity can interfere with copper absorption, leading to more complex issues such as low blood copper levels, anemia, and reduced levels of HDL. Long-term exposure to excessively high zinc levels can lead to immunosuppression and dysfunction of the immune system.
Acute Zinc Deficiency
Acute zinc deficiency is less common and typically occurs in individuals with a rapid onset of symptoms due to severely restricted intake or absorption, often due to underlying health conditions, surgery, or alcoholism. Symptoms can manifest quickly and include sudden hair loss, diarrhea, impaired wound healing, night blindness, and impaired taste and smell. Generally, serum zinc levels lower than 70 micrograms per deciliter suggest deficiency. Other signs include a weakened immune response, leading to frequent infections, and severe dermatitis or skin lesions.
Chronic Zinc Deficiency
Chronic zinc deficiency is more widespread, especially in populations with poor dietary intake (including due to soil depletion) or in conditions that impair zinc absorption. Symptoms develop gradually and can be subtle initially. Signs of chronic deficiency include growth retardation in children, delayed sexual maturation, skin changes, and chronic diarrhea. Behavioral issues such as decreased attention span and mental lethargy are also common. Adults might experience hair thinning, taste abnormalities, and fertility issues due to disrupted hormonal balance.
A 2012 study estimated that 17.3% of the world’s population was zinc deficient with third world countries being the worst hit. But understanding that deficiency is far different from optimal levels as well.
Chronic zinc deficiency requires nutritional intervention and possibly supplementation under medical guidance to restore adequate zinc levels and alleviate symptoms.
Competing Absorption
Excessive zinc intake can inhibit the absorption of copper, iron and potentially other minerals or vice versa. These minerals compete for absorption in the digestive system because they use similar transport mechanisms. When zinc is consumed in high amounts, it can interfere with copper absorption, leading to copper deficiency. But too high iron or copper intake can also lead to less zinc.
Balancing the intake of these minerals is crucial to prevent interactions that could lead to deficiencies. It’s often recommended to take supplements containing iron, zinc, or copper at different times of the day to minimize potential absorption interference.
Are White Marks on Fingernails a Mark of Zinc Deficiency?
White marks on fingernails, known as leukonychia, are commonly thought to be linked to mineral deficiencies, including zinc. However, the connection between white spots on nails and zinc deficiency is not straightforward.
In many cases, white spots are simply due to mechanical or physical damage like banging your nail against something, which disrupts the nail formation temporarily. That is the case, but not the full picture. While the jury is still out, there is a potential link between zinc deficiency and white spots, particularly in the context of broader symptoms of deficiency such as poor immune function, hair loss, and delayed wound healing.
Personally, I had tons of these white spots as a kid but barely notice ever having them anymore. While it may not be the most reliable indicator, I’ll continue to use it as one of my signs until I see better data that it shouldn’t be.
Functions of Zinc in the Human Body
As mentioned earlier this mineral plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. And these enzymes play a role across just about every bodily system. While this list doesn’t cover everything, it covers a lot, including the most important roles that zinc plays in your health.
Zinc and Immune Function
Zinc is a crucial element in the immune system, acting as a signal molecule within immune cells and affecting how these cells communicate and function. It plays a vital role in the development and activation of T-lymphocytes, which are central to the body’s adaptive immune response. Without sufficient zinc, the body experiences a reduction in T-cell function, which can lead to a weakened immune response to pathogens.
Numerous studies, including a Cochrane Review, suggest that zinc can decrease the length of a cold when taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. This mineral may block the replication of rhinoviruses – the most common viral infecting agents in colds – and fortify the body’s ability to fend off and recover from infection.
Zinc and Microbiome
It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the gut microbiome. It influences the composition and function of gut bacteria, which are vital for various bodily functions including immune response, nutrient absorption, and overall intestinal health. Zinc is also essential for the integrity of the intestinal barrier, preventing issues like leaky gut and inflammation.
Additionally, zinc deficiency has been linked to significant changes in the gut microbiome. Studies indicate that insufficient zinc can alter the diversity and function of gut bacteria, impacting the production of short-chain fatty acids and reducing the overall health of the gut environment. These changes can affect the body’s ability to absorb zinc and other nutrients effectively, potentially exacerbating zinc deficiency and affecting overall health.
Inflammation and Oxidation
Zinc has a complex role in the inflammatory response, with the ability to act both as an anti-inflammatory and as a promoter of inflammatory response, depending on the cellular context. Zinc can inhibit the activity of a protein complex called NF-kB, which is involved in the regulation of inflammation and immune response. By modulating the NF-kB signaling pathway, zinc helps to control the onset and progression of inflammation, thus preventing excessive inflammatory responses that can lead to tissue damage.
Zinc acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. It is part of a major form of superoxide dismutase, one of the body’s most important antioxidative enzymes.
Zinc and Sex Hormones & Reproduction
Zinc plays a pivotal role in the regulation and functioning of several hormones, including sex hormones like testosterone. It is particularly critical for male reproductive health as it is heavily involved in the synthesis and action of testosterone.
- Zinc is crucial for the normal function of the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. This conversion is vital for maintaining the balance between these two hormones in the body.
- Zinc also impacts the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent form of the hormone.
- Zinc influences the release of FSH from the pituitary gland. FSH is essential for the reproductive processes, including the maturation of ovarian follicles in women and spermatogenesis in men.
- Similar to FSH, zinc also affects the secretion of LH, which is crucial for triggering ovulation in women and stimulating testosterone production in men.
- Zinc interacts with estrogen and progesterone receptors, affecting these hormones’ availability and action within the body. This interaction is particularly significant in female reproductive health, influencing aspects like menstrual cycle regularity and fertility.
- Zinc is known to enhance the binding of hormones to their specific receptors by influencing the receptor structure and function, thereby playing a role in the effective signaling of these hormones. Therefore, zinc influences not just the hormones themselves, but the hormones’ receptors as well as covered in this recent article.
As mentioned, zinc is essential for the development and function of reproductive organs and sperm production. Adequate levels of zinc help maintain sperm quality and motility, critical factors in male fertility.
While not a sex hormone, zinc also plays a role in growth hormone. This is crucial for normal growth in children. But I also like to think of it as a “rest and recovery hormone” in adults. Zinc facilitates the action of growth hormone and can affect growth hormone levels indirectly by modulating its releasing hormone (GHRH) from the hypothalamus and the response of the pituitary gland.
Special Note about Boosting Testosterone for Our Customers
Hormone health is a huge topic we focus on here at Lost Empire Herbs. So, I wanted to make this message abundantly clear. If you’re looking for testosterone health, Pine Pollen, Tongkat Ali, etc. will NOT work for you if you are majorly zinc deficient.
The herbs work, but they can’t help you synthesize more testosterone if you’re lacking this crucial mineral that allows it to happen.
From our laboratory testing, even herbs that have a reputation of being high in zinc, like Black Ant did, really don’t have much. Therefore, I would not rely on any herb (short of oyster powder!) to give you supplemental amounts of zinc.
If you’re not getting results from these herbs in this department, try adding in one of the zinc supplements discussed below.
Metabolism (Thyroid, Insulin and More)
Zinc’s influence extends beyond reproductive hormones to include thyroid hormones, which are crucial for regulating metabolism, energy production, and overall cellular function. Zinc deficiency can disrupt the synthesis of thyroid hormones by affecting the conversion of thyroxine (T4) into its more active form, triiodothyronine (T3). This disruption can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.
Zinc plays a significant role in carbohydrate metabolism, which is crucial for the body’s energy production processes. As a functional component of various enzymes, zinc helps to catalyze reactions that convert carbohydrates into glucose, the primary fuel source for cells. One key enzyme in which zinc is particularly involved is aldolase, which is crucial for the glycolysis pathway—the primary process by which glucose is broken down to produce energy. Zinc’s role in this enzyme helps ensure efficient glucose utilization, which is vital for energy production, especially in high-energy-demand organs such as the brain and muscles.
Moreover, zinc influences insulin action, a hormone that plays a central role in carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. Zinc is important for both the synthesis and secretion of insulin from the pancreatic beta cells. Inadequate zinc levels can lead to impaired insulin function, potentially resulting in higher blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of metabolic disorders like diabetes.
Zinc and Skin Health
Zinc is fundamental to skin health due to its significant role in collagen synthesis and cell division. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, providing structure and elasticity. Zinc acts as a co-factor for collagenase, an enzyme necessary for collagen turnover and remodeling, which helps in the maintenance and repair of skin tissues. Moreover, zinc’s involvement in cell division is crucial for the regeneration of skin cells, supporting the skin’s natural renewal process. By promoting healthy cell division, zinc helps maintain the integrity and youthful appearance of the skin.
Zinc is also well-known for its benefits in treating acne. Zinc possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the redness and irritation associated with acne. It also has antibacterial properties against Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria linked to acne formation. Zinc regulates sebum production, which can help manage acne’s oily and breakout-prone skin conditions. These reasons are why you’ll see zinc as an ingredient in various topical creams and ointments aimed at managing acne symptoms.
Zinc in Wound Healing
Zinc plays a crucial role in the wound healing process, influencing various phases from wound closure to scar formation. Its involvement is particularly significant due to its properties that accelerate tissue repair and its function in maintaining immune defense.
Zinc’s influence begins with the inflammation stage of wound healing. By modulating the body’s immune response, zinc reduces the risk of prolonged inflammation that can impede the healing process. One of the key contributions of zinc in wound healing is its role in epithelialization, the process by which new skin cells grow over a wound. Zinc is vital for the proliferation and migration of cells necessary for tissue regeneration and repair. It acts as a co-factor for enzymes essential in the synthesis of DNA and proteins, which are crucial for cell division and tissue growth. This activity helps in the quicker restoration of the skin barrier at the site of injury.
Zinc also contributes to collagen synthesis, a major component needed for the structural rebuilding at the wound site. Additionally, zinc influences angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which is critical in supplying nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissue. Furthermore, zinc can impact scar formation by regulating the deposition of collagen fibers, potentially minimizing the formation of hypertrophic scars and keloids, which are raised scars that can form during the healing process.
Zinc and DNA Synthesis
Zinc is a critical element in the process of DNA synthesis, playing a vital role in both replication and transcription. It functions as a structural component of many proteins, including those directly involved in DNA replication such as DNA polymerase. Zinc stabilizes the molecular structure of these proteins and enhances their ability to interact with DNA strands. This interaction is crucial for the accurate copying of DNA sequences during cell division, ensuring genetic stability and the prevention of mutations.
Zinc’s role extends to its impact on gene expression and the transcription process. It influences various transcription factors, which are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to control the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA. Through its interaction with these factors, zinc can regulate the expression of essential genes involved in growth, development, immune function, and other critical physiological processes.
Zinc in Protein Production
Zinc plays a pivotal role in protein synthesis, which is fundamental for cell growth, repair, and maintenance across various tissues in the body. It is directly involved in the synthesis of amino acids and proteins. It acts as a catalyst in the enzymatic reactions that are necessary for protein building, ensuring that the amino acids are assembled correctly into proteins. This activity is crucial for the structural integrity and function of cells.
The mineral’s involvement in protein synthesis is especially important in muscle repair and regeneration. After physical activity, muscles undergo wear and tear, and the repair process requires protein synthesis. Zinc facilitates this by enhancing the body’s ability to repair muscle tissue and by supporting the growth of new muscle cells. This is particularly relevant for athletes or individuals engaged in regular physical activity, as adequate zinc levels can help improve recovery rates and overall muscle health.
Zinc and Neurological Function
Zinc plays a crucial role in the brain, influencing cognitive function and neurotransmission. It is present in high concentrations in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, an area essential for learning and memory. Zinc modulates both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, helping to maintain the balance necessary for normal brain function.
Zinc’s involvement in neurotransmission is particularly important for learning and memory. It influences the way information is encoded within neural circuits and affects how memories are formed and consolidated. Additionally, zinc plays a role in neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This is crucial not only for learning new information but also for recovery from brain injuries.
Zinc has neuroprotective properties, meaning it can help protect the brain from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, which are linked to various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Zinc helps to regulate the immune response in the brain and can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines that contribute to the progression of these diseases.
About Mental Health
Zinc also impacts mood regulation, as deficiencies in zinc have been linked to a higher incidence of depression and anxiety. This mineral is vital in the synthesis and action of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which are critical for mood regulation. These neurotransmitters affect feelings of happiness, calmness, and emotional well-being. Zinc is involved in neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself which also for resilience against mental health disorders.
Furthermore, zinc can modulate the body’s response to stress by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the central stress response system. Zinc helps in regulating the release of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. Elevated or prolonged cortisol levels can lead to various mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Zinc’s regulation of cortisol helps mitigate these risks.
Zinc and Sensory Functions
Zinc is crucial for maintaining the senses of taste and smell, two closely linked sensory functions. It is involved in the proper development and function of neurons that are specific to these senses in the nasal and oral cavities. Zinc influences the activity of gustin, a zinc-dependent protein required for the maturation of taste buds on the tongue. Adequate levels of zinc help ensure that taste buds are properly developed and sensitive to the different taste categories.
Moreover, zinc plays a role in the olfactory system, where it helps in the synthesis of enzymes essential for the proper functioning of smell receptors. Zinc deficiency has been associated with a decrease in the ability to detect odors, a condition known as hyposmia.
Zinc is also vital for eye health, particularly in the retina and the choroid, a vascular layer of the eye. It is present in high concentrations in the eye, where it plays a role in the formation of visual pigments in retinal cells. Adequate zinc levels are necessary to maintain the health of these cells and support the transfer of visual signals to the brain.
Dietary Sources of Zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient that must be obtained from the diet, as the body does not produce or store it. The bioavailability of zinc from animal sources is generally higher compared to plant sources.
Animal sources like meat, shellfish, and dairy products provide zinc that is not only more abundant but also more bioavailable. This is because the zinc in these foods is mostly free from compounds that could hinder its absorption. On the other hand, plant sources like legumes, whole grains, and nuts also contain zinc, but it’s often less accessible due to the presence of phytates. These phytates bind zinc and make it harder for the body to absorb it effectively.
To address the lower bioavailability of zinc from plant sources, strategies such as soaking, fermenting, or sprouting grains and legumes can be employed to reduce their phytate content and enhance zinc absorption. Moreover, combining plant-based sources of zinc with foods rich in vitamin C can also help improve zinc absorption.
Here are some of the best dietary sources of zinc:
Animal Sources:
- Oysters: 32mg per 3 ounces (291% DV)
- Beef (bottom sirloin): 3.8mg per 3 ounces (35% DV)
- Blue crab: 3.2mg per 3 ounces (29% DV)
- Pork (center loin): 1.9mg per 3 ounces (17% DV)
- Turkey breast: 1.5mg per 3 ounces (14% DV)
- Shrimp: 1.4mg per 3 ounces (13% DV)
- Fish (salmon): 0.5mg per 3 ounces (5% DV)
Dairy is a decent source of zinc but not as much as meat itself. Cheese, particularly, hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss cheese are good sources of zinc. Milk and yogurt provide a moderate amount of zinc.
Plant Sources:
- Pumpkin seeds: 2.2mg per ounce (20% DV)
- Lentils: 1.3mg per ½ cup (12% DV)
- Chickpeas: 1.5mg per 100g (14% DV)
- Kidney beans: 0.9mg per ½ cup (8% DV)
- Oatmeal: 0.7mg per ½ cup (6% DV)
- Broccoli: 0.4mg per ½ cup (4% DV)
- Brown rice: 0.3mg per ½ cup (3% DV)
Once again, if you’re looking for optimal zinc levels you’ll want to soak, sprout or ferment these plant sources. Excessive intake of phytates can lead to chronic zinc deficiency.
And unfortunately, the picture is more complicated than just eating the right foods.
Soil Depletion and Its Impact on Nutritional Quality
Soil depletion refers to the loss of soil fertility caused by the removal of more nutrients than the soil can naturally replenish. Farmers went to the US Congress to complain about this issue back in the 1930’s and the situation is worse now than back then. This issue is primarily driven by practices such as intensive farming, inadequate soil management strategies, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and failure to rotate crops. These practices disturb the soil’s natural nutrient balance, reducing its organic matter and leading to the degradation of the soil’s health over time.
Zinc is one of the nutrients most commonly affected by soil depletion. When zinc levels in soil are low, plants cannot absorb adequate amounts of this or other minerals, leading to crops with lower nutritional value in terms of zinc content. This has a direct impact on human health, particularly in regions reliant on these plants as a primary zinc source.
As for animal sources, it depends on how much zinc is in the soil to grow the grass, grain or whatever, that the animal then eats.
Gut Issues, Zinc Chelation and More
Nor is it just soil depletion you have to contend with. Gut permeability, also known as “leaky gut”, affects zinc absorption. Increased intestinal permeability can allow for the passage of substances that are not typically absorbed, leading to inflammation and a disruption in the normal absorption processes, including those for minerals like zinc. This disruption can result in decreased zinc absorption, contributing to zinc deficiency.
Glyphosate, more well known by its trade name Roundup®, is known to chelate certain minerals including zinc. In fact, this is part of how it functions as an herbicide. This chelation can interfere with the bioavailability of zinc, leading to deficiencies even if dietary intake is adequate.
So not only is there less zinc in your diet, but your ability to absorb it is likely impacted too. This is why zinc supplementation is likely necessary if you’re looking for optimal health unless you are extremely careful with your diet.
Forms of Zinc in Supplements
Zinc supplements come in various forms, each differing slightly in terms of bioavailability, general uses, and potential side effects. Here’s an overview of the most common forms of zinc found in dietary supplements:
- Zinc Gluconate: Zinc gluconate is one of the most popular forms of zinc supplements due to its moderate price and good bioavailability. It is commonly used in over-the-counter cold remedies, like lozenges, to reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of colds. This form is gentle on the stomach and is less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects compared to some other forms.
- Zinc Sulfate: Zinc sulfate is especially known for its ability to treat and prevent zinc deficiency. It has a higher zinc content per supplement but may cause stomach upset more frequently than other forms. Zinc sulfate is also often used in topical treatments for acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Zinc Picolinate: Zinc picolinate is known for its high absorbability. This form is often recommended for those who have digestive conditions or older adults who might have issues with zinc absorption. Zinc picolinate is bonded with picolinic acid, which is a natural organic acid produced in the body, making it easier for the zinc to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Zinc Citrate: Zinc citrate, similar to zinc gluconate, is well-absorbed and may be taken as a daily supplement to support immune system function, skin health, and overall cellular function. It is also commonly used in toothpaste and mouthwashes for its oral health benefits due to its ability to reduce plaque formation.
- Zinc Acetate: Zinc acetate is another form that can be used to treat the common cold. Like zinc gluconate, it is often found in lozenges for cold therapy. It can also be used for treating Wilson’s disease, a rare genetic disorder in which excess copper builds up in the body.
- Zinc Orotate: This form of zinc is bound to orotic acid and is one of the most readily absorbed zinc supplements available on the market. Zinc orotate is commonly promoted for its ability to enhance athletic performance and increase endurance, although scientific support for these claims is limited.
- Zinc Methionate: This chelated form is particularly noted for its ability to bypass the competitive absorption processes in the gut, making it more effective in delivering zinc to the body’s systems where it’s needed.
Each of these zinc forms has its particular strengths and uses only some of which are known. The choice of which form to use may depend on the specific health needs, how well each form is tolerated, and personal preferences regarding supplement form.
My Recommended Zinc Supplements and How to Use
First of all, it is best to aim to get zinc from diet where possible. I eat oysters whenever I have the chance but admit that’s not that often. If you eat oysters on the regular, you don’t need zinc supplementation because they actually have that much in them!
Otherwise, I eat a lot of red meat from grass-fed/grass-finished and regeneratively-farmed cows for instance. (I like Wild Pastures as a source if you don’t have relationships with local farmers.)
Even so, I still supplement. That’s because, with everything zinc does, I don’t want to have less than ideal amounts. Here, I like to follow the principle of rotation over time with supplements. You saw there were different forms of zinc. If you only ever take one kind, you may be limiting your effects to some degree. What if that kind is great for the immune system, but doesn’t do as much for cognition or your hormones? Granted your body is way smarter than you are at handling this stuff, but by covering different bases you may be better off than most.
Another note about mineral supplementation including zinc. You’re not likely to feel tangible results with these kinds of supplements unless 1) you’re going from really deficient to optimal, or 2) you’re really sensitive.
You can often find zinc in a multivitamin and mineral supplement. That’s a good starting point. Right now, I’m using Megafoods but as mentioned I’ll switch it up on these things.
But even on top of this I’ll use the following forms especially in these cases:
- After a hard workout
- When I feel I need an immune boost to avoid getting zinc or reducing the length and severity of symptoms (which I’ll also take along with Elderberry)
- After sex involving ejaculation (as semen contains tons of zinc)
- Noticing white spots on fingernails
So, on top of my foundation, I’ve been using these two:
This is a new liposomal form of zinc that I’ve been using from Purality Health.
And my go-to has been Zinc7, which contains seven different forms of Zinc.
You can, of course, find all kinds of other zinc supplements in any health food or supplement store. Feel free to experiment and find what works for you.
I hope you’ve found this article useful. It’s a lot to take in, but if you understand just a little bit more the importance of this trace mineral, your health will be all the better for it.
Once again, I’ll reiterate that since hormone health is such a big focus of what we do at Lost Empire Herbs, that this mineral is critical there. Herbs won’t do you much good in this department if you’re chronically lacking in zinc.
Please let me know in the comments below if you want more articles like this. I’m planning to do a similar article for magnesium already but if you’d like even more than that then give me feedback.
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Rick says
How much zinc do you take per day, just want to know so I do it right-
Logan Christopher says
It’s variable. My basic multimineral I’m taking right now has 7.5 mg in it. What I get from diet in the average day I’m not going to try to measure.
Then I take those additional ones from time to time as I mentioned. Zinc7 has a dose of 50mg in two capsules. I only take one capsule when I take it so that is 25mg.
Stefan Kolek says
This is a very interesting article on Zinc, Logan. That little fellow zinc comes in many forms and has a big job ahead of him all the time, it’s a wonder his head doesn’t spin.
Your articles are always well written and full of information. I really enjoy the read. Keep up the good work.
Logan Christopher says
You’re welcome!
James Brennan says
I’ve tried several zinc supplements including “Zinc7”. None of them worked. I finally found “Quantum Zinc” by Quantum Nutrition Labs. This liquid formula uses zinc sulfate heptahydrate, a form that my body assimilates very well. Works great…highly recommend it.
Logan Christopher says
Haven’t heard of that one, but will give it a look.