A Guide to Selecting the Best Zinc Supplements
Introduction
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in many bodily processes, including the immune system, wound healing, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins. Zinc deficiency can cause a range of health problems, including reduced immunity, impaired wound healing, and changes in taste and smell. For this reason, many people choose to take zinc supplements to ensure they get enough of this important nutrient.
Choosing a Zinc Supplement
When choosing a zinc supplement, it's important to consider the form, dosage, and purity of the product.
Form
Zinc supplements come in several different forms, including capsules, tablets, lozenges, and liquids. Each form has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, capsules and tablets are easy to swallow, but they may not be absorbed as well as other forms. Lozenges are slow-dissolving and can provide relief for sore throats, but they may not be suitable for people who are unable to suck on them. Liquid zinc supplements are easy to take and may be absorbed more quickly, but they may not be as convenient to carry around as other forms.
Dosage
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for zinc varies depending on age and gender. For adults, the RDA is 8 milligrams (mg) per day for women and 11 mg per day for men. However, it's important to note that the RDA is the minimum amount of zinc required to prevent deficiency, and some people may need more. It's best to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before taking a zinc supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Purity
When choosing a zinc supplement, it's important to make sure the product is pure and free from contaminants. Zinc supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but not all products are created equal. Some supplements may contain impurities or other substances that could be harmful to your health. Look for products that have been certified by third-party organizations, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab. These organizations test supplements for purity and potency, so you can be sure you're getting a high-quality product.
Conclusion
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in many bodily processes. Zinc deficiency can cause a range of health problems, so many people choose to take zinc supplements to ensure they get enough of this important nutrient. When choosing a zinc supplement, consider the form, dosage, and purity of the product. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before taking a zinc supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is zinc supplement good for?
Zinc supplements are beneficial for various functions and systems in the body. They support the immune system, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and the senses of taste and smell. Additionally, zinc aids in normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence.
2. Does zinc reduce belly fat?
Studies have shown that zinc can be useful in reducing belly fat. It has been studied as a potential weight loss supplement, similar to B vitamins. Incorporating zinc into a weight loss regimen has shown promising results in targeting belly fat.
3. Why take zinc and magnesium?
Zinc and magnesium offer various health benefits when taken together. Zinc supports the immune system and muscles, while magnesium plays a role in metabolism, muscle health, and sleep management. Additionally, vitamin B6, often included in zinc and magnesium supplements, may boost energy. Taking these nutrients together can help improve muscle strength, stamina, muscle recovery, and sleep quality.
4. What happens to your body if you take zinc everyday?
Zinc supplements are generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience adverse side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It's important not to exceed the recommended daily dose of zinc (40 mg of elemental zinc) to avoid flu-like symptoms like fever, coughing, headache, and fatigue.
5. Does taking zinc make you feel better?
Zinc has gained popularity as a treatment for the common cold. Some studies suggest that zinc lozenges can reduce the duration of a cold by about a day and lower the number of upper respiratory infections. Zinc helps fight infection and aids in wound healing, which may contribute to an overall feeling of improvement.
6. Who should not take zinc?
Individuals taking amiloride or certain blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors (such as captopril) should avoid zinc supplements. Amiloride can interact with zinc, and ACE inhibitors may decrease zinc levels in the blood.
7. Is there a downside to taking zinc supplements?
While zinc supplements can be beneficial, they can also have negative side effects. These may include digestive issues and flu-like symptoms. Zinc can also interfere with the absorption of copper and reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics.
8. Can zinc affect your weight?
Studies suggest that zinc supplementation may increase body weight in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and decrease body weight in overweight or obese individuals who are otherwise healthy. However, it's important to note that weight loss results are not solely dependent on zinc intake, but on overall diet and lifestyle changes.
9. Should I take zinc to lose weight?
Zinc intake can have a beneficial effect on weight loss for individuals who are overweight or obese. However, it's important to understand that zinc alone is not a magic solution for weight loss. Achieving weight loss goals involves making comprehensive changes to diet and lifestyle.
10. Is it OK to take zinc and magnesium together?
Zinc and magnesium are synergistic minerals, meaning they work together to enhance absorption and maximize their overlapping benefits. Taking them together in oral supplement form is generally safe and can provide combined health benefits.
11. Why should you not take zinc and magnesium together?
Taking extremely high doses of zinc (142 milligrams per day and above) in supplement form can potentially interfere with magnesium absorption. If you are taking high doses of zinc due to medical reasons, it is recommended to take zinc several hours before or after taking a magnesium supplement.
Editor's Notes
During our zinc supplement research, we found 24 zinc supplement products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 441,376 customer reviews through our big data system to write the zinc supplements list. We found that most customers choose zinc supplements with an average price of $16.51.
The zinc supplements are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of zinc supplements, including Pure Encapsulations, Nature Made, THORNE, SANDHUHERBALS, NOW Foods. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 55,027 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Elisa Drew is a really professional copywriter specializing in baby products with five years of experience working as a pediatrician once. She has published a series of baby books purchased by over thirty thousand people in the United States.
