How Much Zinc Do You Need
The Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc is fairly small in comparison to other vitamins and minerals. Although it increases from infancy to teenage years, it largely remains the same throughout adulthood.
Below are the RDAs for zinc based on age group:
- 0-6 months: 2 milligrams
- 7-12 months: 3 mg
- Breastfeeding: 12-13 mg
How To Take Vitamin C Plus Zinc
Use Vitamin C Plus Zinc exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Never take more than the recommended dose of multivitamins and minerals.
Read the label of any vitamin and mineral product you take to make sure you are aware of what it contains.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Avoid milk or other dairy products.
You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .
Dissolve the effervescent tablet in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir and drink this mixture right away.
Swallow a capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
Use multivitamins and minerals regularly to get the most benefit.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the liquid medicine from freezing.
Store this medicine in its original container. Storing multivitamins in a glass container can ruin the medication.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Vitamin C Plus Zinc
Avoid taking more than one multivitamin product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. Taking similar products together can result in an overdose or serious side effects.
Avoid the use of salt substitutes in your diet if your multivitamin and mineral contains potassium. If you are on a low-salt diet, ask your doctor before taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.
Do not take this medicine with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain minerals.
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May Reduce The Risk Of Certain Age
Zinc may significantly reduce your risk of age-related diseases, such as pneumonia, infection and age-related macular degeneration .
Zinc may relieve oxidative stress and improve immune response by boosting the activity of T-cells and natural killer cells, which help protect your body from infection .
Older adults who supplement with zinc experience improved influenza vaccination response, reduced risk of pneumonia and boosted mental performance (
23 ).
Oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation, a contributing factor in a wide array of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and mental decline .
In a study in 40 older adults, those who took 45 mg of zinc per day experienced greater reductions in inflammatory markers than a placebo group .
Summary
Zinc may effectively reduce inflammation, boost immune health, reduce your risk of age-related diseases, speed wound healing and improve acne symptoms.
What Should I Avoid While Taking Zinc Sulfate
Avoid taking this medication with foods that are high in calcium or phosphorus, which can make it harder for your body to absorb zinc sulfate. Foods high in calcium or phosphorus include milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, dried beans or peas, lentils, nuts, peanut butter, beer, cola soft drinks, and hot cocoa.
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/7the Right Way To Take Zinc
To ensure maximum absorption of zinc from diet add different varieties of food like meat, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate and others. Our body readily absorbs the nutrient from animal sources of foods as compared to plant sources. Also, take zinc in a smaller dose to absorb it more efficiently. Pairing zinc-rich food with protein also increases the chances of absorption.
Zinc And Vitamin C For The Common Cold
Zinc is a nutrient that helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, and the nutrient helps wounds to heal.
Zinc is required in order for the bodys immune system to do its job, and people with low levels of zinc may have a higher risk of getting pneumonia and other infections. Research suggests that using zinc lozenges or syrup can help speed up recovery from the common cold by up to a day if its taken within 24 hours of developing symptoms. However, studies are still ongoing.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that helps support the immune systems function. Vitamin C also protects the bodys cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are compounds formed when the body converts food into energy.
Research has found that vitamin C supplements can reduce the length of time for a cold by 8% in adults and 14% in kids.
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Lowering The Risks Of Catching A Cold With Zinc And Vitamin C
To lower the risk of catching a cold, it is advisable to pay attention to the vitamin C and zinc balance, and not only during the flu season. The German Nutrition Society recommends healthy adults a daily intake of at least 7 to 10 mg of zinc and 95 to 110 mg of vitamin C, depending on gender, to satisfy the normal need. If there is no illness or another acute deficiency situation, this can be accomplished simply by a balanced diet. Zinc is found, for example, in cheese, peanuts, and oatmeal, whereas vitamin C is found in products like citrus, onions or bell peppers, as well as in various berries. Together with other biofactors, zinc and vitamin C help us to have a healthy immune system and to reduce the risk of disease. Find out here, how we can strengthen our immune defense with biofactors.
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/7health Benefits Of Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. This simply means that Vitamin C first dissolves in water and then it is transported to different parts of the body. However, our body does not store this vitamin, so it is crucial to take it daily from the food.
The C vitamin plays a role in controlling infections and healing wounds. It is a powerful antioxidant that can fight disease-causing harmful free radicals. Besides, it is also involved in numerous metabolic reactions in the body and is needed to make fibrous protein in connective tissue that is weaved throughout various systems in the body.
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Study Halted Early Because Of Lack Of Observed Effects
The study was one of more than 30 trials that on the effect of vitamin C in relation to COVID-19 that have been underway since late 2020. However, the Cleveland Clinic study was halted after 214 subjects were recruited and observed because the authors concluded no statistically significant symptom duration outcomes were being observed and continuing the research would be futile.
ased on the current study, these supplements cannot be recommended to reduce symptom morbidity in such patients. High-dose zinc gluconate, ascorbic acid, or both supplements did not reduce SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Most consumers of ascorbic acid and zinc are taking significantly lower doses of these supplements, so demonstrating that even high-dose ascorbic acid and zinc had no benefit suggests clear lack of efficacy, the authors concluded.
In addition to the research, the journal also published a commentary on the study.
Given the widespread public use of supplements, such as zinc and ascorbic acid, for the prevention and treatment of viral infections, we applaud the COVID A to Z Study5 investigators for adding rigorous science by testing their efficacy and challenging popular beliefs. Unfortunately, these 2 supplements failed to live up to their hype, the commentary concluded.
Vitamin C Plus Zinc Side Effects
Generic name:multivitamin with minerals
Note: This document contains side effect information about multivitamin with minerals. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Vitamin C plus Zinc.
Applies to multivitamin with minerals: oral tablet
Other dosage forms:
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2021.
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It May Offer Protective Effects Against Cardiovascular Disease
In a 2015 meta-analysis, researchers found that zinc supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL bad cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are risk factors for heart disease when elevated. And studies show that having adequate levels of zinc in your body may help prevent plaque buildup in your arteries, which can protect your heart.
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very upset stomach or throwing up.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Numbness and tingling.
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Zinc Sulfate Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea or
Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:
Recommended Dietary Allowance -expressed as elemental zinc:19 years and older:Male: 11 mg Female: 9 mg Pregnancy: 11 mg Lactation: 12 mg Zinc sulfate injection: IV:Metabolically stable adults receiving TPN: 2.5 to 4 mg zinc/dayAcute catabolic states on TPN: Additional 2 mg zinc per day is recommended.Stable adult with fluid loss from the small bowel: Additional 12.2 mg zinc/liter of small bowel fluid lost, or an additional 17.1 mg zinc/kg of stool or ileostomy output is recommended.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Dietary Supplement:
Recommended Dietary Allowance -expressed as elemental zinc:0 to 6 months: Male: 2 mg Female: 2 mg 7 to 12 months:Male: 3 mg Female: 3 mg 1 to 3 years:Male: 3 mg Female: 3 mg 4 to 8 years:Male: 5 mg Female: 5 mg 9 to 13 years:Male: 8 mg Female: 8 mg 14 to 18 years:Male: 11 mg Female: 9 mg Pregnancy: 12 mg Lactation: 13 mg Zinc sulfate injection: IV:Full term infants and children up to 5 years of age: 100 mcg zinc/kg/day is recommended. Premature infants up to 3 kg in body weight: 300 mcg zinc/kg/day is recommended.
Will Taking Zinc Protect Me From Coronavirus
At this time, there is no hard evidence proving that zinc can help with COVID-19. High-dose zinc has been found to reduce how long cold symptoms last, and it is known to play a key role in supporting the immune system, but so far there hasnt been enough research done to determine its impact on someone with coronavirus.
Zinc is the second-most common trace mineral in our bodies, affecting all organs and cells. Its an essential mineral that most Americans get plenty of in our diets by eating foods like beans, nuts, whole grains, red meat, poultry, and dairy.
Zinc helps to strengthen the immune system and regulates metabolism, and if youre eating foods regularly that contain zinc, you are likely getting enough to feel the positive impact of the mineral without needing to add an extra daily supplement.
Those who are pregnant, as well as some infants and children, may be told by a physician to add a zinc supplement for extra care, but most of us who are healthy and follow a balanced diet are getting enough zinc.
If a person isnt zinc deficient, taking a zinc supplement likely wont provide any additional protection. Experts have found that once you have the minimal of amount of zinc in your system, adding a supplement doesnt necessarily mean your immune system is boosted even more.
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Get Enough Zinc But Not Too Much
Zinc is an essential mineral for immunity. It also has protective effects on your heart, brain, eyes, hormones, and more. Although you can get zinc from food, many people, including plant-based eaters, may want to consider soaking, sprouting, and/or fermenting grains and legumes to reduce phytate content and increase zinc absorption. And some may also want to consider a bit of supplementation to protect against the risk of zinc deficiency.
Tell us in the comments:
- Do you use a zinc supplement?
- What zinc-rich foods do you enjoy? Which can you add to your diet?
- Have you ever used a zinc product to help reduce the duration and severity of the common cold?
and receive the Top 10 Foods To Eat And Avoid For Longevity infographic poster!
Mechanism Of Innate Immunity During Common Cold
When a respiratory virus is inhaled it first binds to nonspecific receptors on the respiratory epithelium, usually glycolipids or glycoproteins. Membrane fusion or endocytosis follows, thus internalizing the virus and enabling subsequent replication, transcription, and translation of new viruses which can then be released to infect new cells. Once a cell has been infected, pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the virus can be recognized by various intracellular innate pathogen recognition receptors such as the toll-like receptors , retinoic-acid-inducible gene-I- like receptors , and nucleotide binding-oligomerization domain like receptors . Pulmonary epithelial cells have been shown to express all of the known human TLRs and RLRs that detect viruses, and ligands for these PRRs activate epithelial cells in order to initiate a rapid immune response against viral invasion . In addition to direct infection of epithelial cells, intraepithelial dendritic cells residing just below the respiratory epithelium and tissue-resident macrophages continually sample particles in the airway lumen and can internalize them by phagocytosis and macropinocytosis, thus activating PRRs and initiating an immune response .
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Whats The Evidence That Supplements Are Helpful For Covid
Though COVID-19 is a new illness, a few clinical trials have explored the possibility that supplements may be effective. And, unfortunately, most of the evidence is unconvincing.
For example, a few observational studies link lower blood vitamin levels with a higher risk of testing positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 . But studies like these cannot prove that vitamin D protects people against infection. Further, a randomized controlled study of people with moderate to severe COVID-19 who received a high dose of vitamin D showed no benefit.
Similarly, a 2021 study of zinc and vitamin C demonstrated no benefit for people with mild COVID-19. In this study, people whose symptoms did not require hospital admission were randomly assigned to receive
- only vitamin C, 8,000 mg/day
- only zinc, 50 mg/day
- both supplements at the doses above
- neither supplement.
The researchers found that people receiving the supplements, whether individually or combined, had no improvement in symptoms or a faster recovery when compared with otherwise similar patients receiving neither supplement.
Proponents of melatonin for COVID-19 have encouraged researchers to perform trials of this supplement, but so far convincing evidence of benefit is not yet available.
Supplements And Immunity: Facts Vs Fiction
Most people have been told at least once to take vitamin C to speed up recovery after catching a cold or the flu. But do supplements help boost immunity? And if so, which supplements should people prioritize? This article takes a look at a few of the most popular recommendations for immunity-boosting supplements and highlights the truth behind the claims.
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Before Taking This Medicine
Before using zinc sulfate, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. You may not be able to use zinc sulfate if you have certain medical conditions.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether zinc sulfate will harm an unborn baby. Do not use zinc sulfate without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether zinc sulfate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
/7the Recommended Daily Intake Of Vitamin C
The Recommended Dietary Allowance of Vitamin C for men above 19 years is 90 mg and for women is 75 mg daily. During pregnancy and breastfeeding the daily need increases to 85 mg and 120 mg respectively. Smokers are advised to take an extra 35 mg of this vitamin as smoking can deplete vitamin C levels in the body.
Taking more than 2000 mg of Vitamin C in a day can lead to gastrointestinal distress and diarrhoea. When this water-soluble vitamin is present in the body in excess, it switches roles and acts as a tissue-damaging pro-oxidant instead of an antioxidant. This can even increase the risk of kidney stones.
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