One particular study found that taking zinc tablets for ten days is effective at treating diarrhoea and also helps prevent future bouts. 20 Zinc picolinate is made when the trace mineral zinc is bound to the organic acid, picolinic acid. Picolinic acid is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan that is naturally made in the body. Zinc picolinate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc. Signs of excess zinc intake may include decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, headaches, upset stomach, and diarrhea. This can occur in either an acute or chronic time frame depending on the dosage ( 1). Zinc is essential for good health. Of all the minerals in our body, iron is the most abundant mineral, closely followed by zinc.

All Peak Performance supplements undergo third-party testing for quality and accuracy. They’re also manufactured following CGMP regulations and standards. Though zinc deficiency is uncommon, the mineral is considered an essential nutrient, meaning that your body is unable to produce it on its own. People with restrictive diets, impaired nutrient absorption, or certain health conditions may be more susceptible. Life Extension Enhanced Zinc Lozenges contain 18.75 mg of zinc acetate, a form of zinc that has been shown to shorten the duration of colds by up to 40%, though the research is mixed ( 8, 9).

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Zinc sulfate. In addition to helping prevent zinc deficiency, zinc sulfate has been shown to reduce the severity of acne. Nevertheless, the evidence is mixed and insufficient to determine which form of zinc is best for immune health. Is it OK to take zinc every day?

That’s why, if you are taking zinc supplements, it’s important not to exceed the recommended guidance. One review reported that low zinc levels could be linked to impaired blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes. Afzali A, et al. (2021). The effect of zinc supplementation on fatigue among elderly community dwellers: A parallel clinical trial. For girls over the age of 8, the dosage stays at 8mg a day, except for 14 to 18 year olds, where the recommendation increases to 9mg a day. Zinc and pregnant/breastfeeding womenBecause of its role in helping cells to grow and multiply, adequate zinc is important during times of rapid growth, such as childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy Zinc is lost through sweat, making supplementation very important for athletes, who don’t get a lot of zinc through their daily diet Zinc plays a significant role in many aspects of the immune system. It helps the growth and function of cells in your innate immune system, including T and B cells, which help your body protect against foreign substances. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should take between 11 to 13mg a day, depending on their age. Cunningham F, et al. (2021). A potential new role for zinc in age-related macular degeneration through regulation of endothelial fenestration.

Plus, exceeding 40 mg per day of elemental zinc can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, coughing, headache, and fatigue. This amount can also be obtained by enjoying a variety of foods rich in zinc as part of a healthy diet, such as meat, poultry, seafood, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, seeds, legumes, and dairy products. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease and one of the leading causes of vision loss around the globe.

Furthermore, zinc supplements have been shown to interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics, reducing their effectiveness if taken at the same time. Zinc orotate. This form is bound to a compound known as orotic acid. It’s one of the most common types of zinc supplements on the market. However, research on the effects of supplements on blood pressure is limited. Further, some studies suggest that low levels of serum zinc may be associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, though findings remain inconclusive. Thus, more research is needed. Slows macular degeneration Taking too much zinc can cause negative side effects, such as decreased immune function, low copper levels, and reduced HDL (good) cholesterol levels ( 1). Supplement form Hemilä H. (2017). Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage.