I am Zinc deficient, need supplement reccomendations

[cartersmom]

I took the oral Zinc challenege test and I didn't taste much at all! After 30 seconds of swishing it aroud I had a vague tatse of hydrogen peroxide. So I guess i need some zinc! Asides from trying to eat more foods high in zinc, does anybody have any thoughts about the best supplements and how much to take and for how long??

[Serephina]

You know the liquid that they gave you for the test? Buy that, and take the recommended dose it in a glass of lukewarm water. You'll know when to stop because it start tasting horrible.

[Aviendha]

Yep what she said. Just be aware that you shouldnt take it at the same time as any other suppliments that you are taking. Just before bed is a good time becasue you allow your body plenty of time to absorb it before you consume anything else.

[Serephina]

One thing I forgot to add. Make sure to take it during a meal. Liquid zinc on an empty stomach can cause nausea and vomiting. Sadly I found out the hard way when I forgot to take it with food - not pleasant :giggle:

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

If you feel you need to supplement, do so, but remember the zinc copper balance (http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/copper-zinc-imbalance.html).

zinc as always, I believe that all nutrients are best got from food. Here is the comprehensive sheet on food sources of zinc (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR20/nutrlist/sr20w309.pdf).

Be aware that you cannot absorb minerals properly unless your gut flora is in good condition. In terms of breads, minerals are well absorbed from sourdough breads, but not so well from yeasted breads because of interference by phytates.

[cartersmom]

ok I have read about the zinc/copper imbalance. I need some clarificaton!


It works in a paired relationship with zinc, sometimes in complement and sometimes opposing. Copper is present in most foods, and is also absorbed from the environment.4,5 When zinc is present in abundance, and when there is enough quality protein available to bind it,6 copper can be handled freely, and the excess can be readily excreted trough the bile.7,8

Ok so when a person is NOT deficient in zinc, then excess copper is less of an issue.


Deficiency of zinc accentuates copper excess."11

But when they are the the excess copper can cause all kinds of issues.


When the diet is lacking in zinc and protein, however—and in fats to promote bile production —use of high-copper foods, and environmental copper, primarily ingested through our water, promote buildup of copper in our tissues

Again lack of Zinc = bad


Too many other factors also work to increase copper and work against zinc. Zinc galvanized pipes have been replaced by copper pipes in many areas, which can be etched by slightly acidic water supplies.23 Birth control pills and other medications increase the retention of copper.24 Blanching of vegetables before commercial freezing removes zinc and many trace minerals,25 while copper is added to many multivitamins.26

All these things lead to build up in copper as well

So if I am zinc deficient how would supplementing with zinc be a bad thing?? Isn't this saying that the more one is deficient in zinc, the more copper will be a problem??Wouldn't bringing my zinc levels up while perhaps taking care not to ingest any excess copper like in a multivitamin be the best way to bring those things back into balance??

As for myself I eat plenty of meat/eggs and am far from a vegetarian! (I was on the pill for about a million years before I wised up and went off of it though :( )

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Ok so when a person is NOT deficient in zinc, then excess copper is less of an issue. No. Here is the clarifier:
When zinc is present in abundance, and when there is enough quality protein available to bind it,6 copper can be handled freely


Again lack of Zinc = bad

Again, here is the qualifier
When the diet is lacking in zinc and protein, however—and in fats to promote bile production —use of high-copper foods, and environmental copper, primarily ingested through our water, promote buildup of copper in our tissues .You can have all the zinc, selenium whatever, but if you don't have enough complete amino acids and fats, then you might as well not have minerals.

This is why I keep saying that vitamins and minerals are part of a whole diet, and that supplmentation is only for those who really know what they are doing. Even then, it's best to first jury rig your food, because often the foods which have one mineral, also have the counter mineral in it as well. (See... God knew what He was doing...)



All these things lead to build up in copper as well Yes, but only if your diet isn't good, and your body has a more acid Ph than an alkaline ph.


So if I am zinc deficient how would supplementing with zinc be a bad thing?? it's not, so long as you remember that the copper zinc balance is controlled by what you eat...


Isn't this saying that the more one is deficient in zinc, the more copper will be a problem??Yes, so you can take zinc, but you must enough enough protein and fats to bind to any surplus copper. Obviously if copper isn't in exces it won't bind to it.


Wouldn't bringing my zinc levels up while perhaps taking care not to ingest any excess copper like in a multivitamin be the best way to bring those things back into balance??No, you just eat enough of the right foods and the body will reduce the copper levels itself by binding it.


As for myself I eat plenty of meat/eggs and am far from a vegetarian! (I was on the pill for about a million years before I wised up and went off of it though :( ) You can still be a vegetarian but you need to food combine wisely. That's all :D

[cartersmom]

No. Here is the clarifier:



Again, here is the qualifier You can have all the zinc, selenium whatever, but if you don't have enough complete amino acids and fats, then you might as well not have minerals.

This is why I keep saying that vitamins and minerals are part of a whole diet, and that supplmentation is only for those who really know what they are doing. Even then, it's best to first jury rig your food, because often the foods which have one mineral, also have the counter mineral in it as well. (See... God knew what He was doing...)


Yes, but only if your diet isn't good, and your body has a more acid Ph than an alkaline ph.

it's not, so long as you remember that the copper zinc balance is controlled by what you eat...

Yes, so you can take zinc, but you must enough enough protein and fats to bind to any surplus copper. Obviously if copper isn't in exces it won't bind to it.

No, you just eat enough of the right foods and the body will reduce the copper levels itself by binding it.

You can still be a vegetarian but you need to food combine wisely. That's all :D


Thanks!

Got it now :)