Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. Sinclair S. Male infertility: nutritional and environmental considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(1):28-38.

There are several types of zinc supplements. Limited research suggests that some forms, such as zinc picolinate and zinc citrate, may be better absorbed than others, like zinc oxide. However, more recent studies are needed ( 3, 4). Dosage The company claims that since the zinc is run through a high pressure, low heat process, the particles in this liquid supplement are very small in size, which may make it easier for your body to absorb. Zinc absorption kinetics are described by carrier-mediated and saturable processes [ 58, 69, 71, 72], whereby zinc uptake at the apical membrane of the intestinal mucosa seems to be the rate limiting step [ 70]. Saturation of these transport mechanisms at a certain luminal zinc level is reflected by an absorption plateau with a half saturation constant (K m) of cellular zinc uptake in vivo of 29–55 µM zinc [ 38, 70, 73]. However, at higher luminal zinc concentrations, zinc uptake becomes non-saturable, which indicates passive diffusion [ 3, 57, 71]. Notably, the ‘high zinc concentrations’ applied in these studies varied from >200–1000 µM [ 57, 71, 72]. This might not be relevant in vivo for normal zinc intake, as physiologically relevant concentrations in the intestinal lumen after consumption of a standard meal vary around 100 µM [ 58, 64, 74] for which a saturable and carrier-mediated transport kinetic applies both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Al-Maroof RA, Al-Sharbatti SS. Serum zinc levels in diabetic patients and effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control of type 2 diabetics. Saudi Med J. 2006 Mar;27(3):344-50 In addition to being manufactured in an NSF-registered GMP facility, each product has a certificate of analysis (COA) that’s available for consumers to confirm the quality and accuracy of a specific product.Zinc reduces the amount of copper your body absorbs, and high doses of zinc can cause a copper deficiency. For that reason, many doctors recommend that you take 2 mg of copper along with a zinc supplement. People that sweat a lot are subject to more zinc loss; for example athletes, those in hot climate, menopausal women experiencing night sweats.

National Academy of Sciences. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Intakes for Individuals, Vitamins. Accessed June 1, 2011. While symptomatic magnesium deficiency due to not getting enough magnesium in the diet is uncommon, various health conditions and medications may cause an individual to experience low magnesium levels.

Safety and Side Effects

Eby GA, Halcomb WW. Ineffectiveness of zinc gluconate nasal spray and zinc orotate lozenges in common-cold treatment: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):34-8. Although Copper (in high amounts) inhibits Zinc absorption, studies using 15mg zinc combined with 2mg copper showed no inhibition of zinc absorption was found. Metabolics Zinc Formula only contains 2 mg Copper. Antibiotics -- Zinc may decrease your body's absorption of two kinds of antibiotics, quinolones and tetracyclines. These include: Zinc can also interfere with the absorption of copper and reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. Always consult with your healthcare professional if concerned. Conclusion

Similar to MT, intestinal zinc transporters are not only required for the maintenance of enterocyte zinc homeostasis, but are also decisive for zinc absorption ( Figure 3). The main intestinal zinc importer ZIP4 is essential for zinc absorption. This is demonstrated by the zinc malabsorption disease acrodermatitis enteropathica, originating from different mutations in the gene encoding human ZIP4 [ 81, 82, 126, 127]. ZIP4 is regulated by dietary zinc in a transcriptional, translational, and post-translational manner [ 128]. Moreover, surface localization of enterocyte ZIP4 is regulated by cytoplasmic zinc [ 129]. Under zinc deficiency, zip4 mRNA is stabilized [ 127, 130, 131] and the protein accumulates at the apical plasma membrane result in elevated zinc uptake [ 129, 132]. Zinc repletion results in endocytosis of the protein [ 129], and ubiquitin-mediated degradation at even higher zinc concentrations [ 133, 134], while transcription remains unaltered [ 86].

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New evidence has lead researchers to conclude that zinc also plays a role in the regulation of sleep. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(10):1417-1436. Excess Zinc consumption can cause negative side effects, so it is best not to exceed the upper tolerable limit of 40 mg per day, unless under medical supervision. It's rare for people in industrialized countries to be seriously deficient in zinc. Low zinc levels are sometimes seen in the elderly, alcoholics, people with anorexia, and people on very restricted diets. People who have malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, may also be deficient in zinc. Now you know the importance of zinc in the body, you can maintain a healthy zinc level. Whether with your diet or with a Zinc Glycinate supplement, you know why it is vital for day-to-day bodily functions.