Do not take
zinc supplements if
you take amiloride.
These include:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Ofloxacin (Floxin)
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
- Gatifloxacin (Tequin)
- Tetracycline.
- Minocycline (Minocin)
However, zinc is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in high doses by breast-feeding women and LIKELY UNSAFE when used in high doses by pregnant women. Pregnant women over 18 should not take more than 40 mg of zinc per day; pregnant women age 14 to 18 should not take more than 34 mg per day.
When taken by mouth: Zinc is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts not larger than 40 mg daily. Routine zinc supplementation is not recommended without the advice of a healthcare professional.
Zinc supplements are most effective if they are taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if zinc supplements cause stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal. You should tell your health care professional if you are taking your zinc supplement with meals.
An ideal way would be to take your supplement first thing in the morning, 30-45 minutes before your meal. If you plan to take your Vitamin C later in the day, make sure there is a good gap after your meals so that it gets absorbed well.
While there are several chelated zinc supplements on the market, one of the best options is NOW Foods' Zinc Glycinate softgels. Each softgel contains 30 mg of zinc glycinate — a form of zinc that human and animal studies suggest may be better absorbed than other types of zinc.
Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly.
Vitamin C and zincVitamin C (ascorbic acid) and zinc are two essential micronutrients that play important functional roles in nutrition, immune support and maintenance of health. Vitamin C is a cofactor for several enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of collagen, carnitine and neurotransmitters.
Zinc may work by preventing the rhinovirus from multiplying. It may also stop the rhinovirus from lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Zinc may be more effective when taken in lozenge or syrup form, which allows the substance to stay in the throat and come in contact with the rhinovirus.
Long-term use of zinc, especially in high doses, can cause problems such as copper deficiency. Zinc may interact with drugs, including antibiotics and penicillamine (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis). Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity.
A meta-analysis published in 2000 found that zinc was ineffective compared with placebo in reducing the likelihood that cold symptoms were present after 7 days. A meta-analysis published in June 2011 concluded that zinc lozenges reduce the duration of cold symptoms by 12% to 48%, but only at daily doses >75 mg.
Zinc gluconate: As one of the most common over-the-counter forms of zinc, zinc gluconate is often used in cold remedies, such as lozenges and nasal sprays (2). Zinc acetate: Like zinc gluconate, zinc acetate is often added to cold lozenges to reduce symptoms and speed up the rate of recovery ( 3 ).
Health authorities have set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc at 40 mg per day for adults. The UL is the highest recommended daily amount of a nutrient. For most people, this amount is unlikely to cause negative side effects (1, 2).
For adults, the recommended daily amount for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrams (mg) a day, and the upper limit is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, megadoses of vitamin C supplements might cause: Diarrhea. Nausea.
Zinc is needed for DNA synthesis, immune function, metabolism and growth. It may reduce inflammation and your risk of some age-related diseases. Most people meet the RDI of 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women through diet, but older adults and people with diseases that inhibit zinc absorption may need to supplement.
Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
- Don't smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
The maximum recommended amount, or upper limit, is 2,000mg per day for all adults. Taking more than the upper limit for vitamin C isn't life-threatening, but you may experience side effects like: abdominal pain.
“Vitamin C does play an important role in the immune system and helps immune cells identify and kill viruses and bacteria,” says Dr. Marino. “But the ideal way to get vitamin C is from food. Five to seven servings of fresh fruits and vegetables would provide 400 to 500mg,” she adds.
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
17 immune-boosting foods to get you through cold and flu season
- Ginger tea. When it comes to treating a common cold, ginger is one of the best foods for relief.
- Oranges. Oranges are packed with vitamin C, an essential nutrient when you're feeling under the weather.
- Water.
- Greek yogurt.
- Blueberries.
- Ginseng tea.
- Tomatoes.
- Wild salmon.
A total of 148 animal studies indicated that vitamin C may alleviate or prevent infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The most extensively studied human infection is the common cold.
- Echinacea. Echinacea is probably the most common herbal supplement associated with the prevention and treatment of colds.
- Elderberry. Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, is commonly used for treating symptoms related to the flu.
- Garlic.
- Ginseng.
- Pelargonium Sidoides.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Zinc.
- Conclusion.
Regularly getting 1–2 grams of vitamin C per day may reduce the duration of common cold symptoms and boost your immune system.
Among young Norwegian adults, having a low prevalence of asthma and high prevalences of smoking-related respiratory symptoms, dietary vitamin C intake may act as an antioxidant and thereby reduce cough and wheeze in smokers having high oxidant stress.
Research shows that at least 200 mg per day of vitamin C, while you're sick, can help you get better sooner and decreases the severity of your symptoms. Though many people turn to supplements to get extra vitamin C, physicians recommend sticking to vitamin C rich foods, like papaya or red bell pepper.
During cold and flu season, they work extra hard to prevent us from catching what's going around at school or the workplace. Vitamin B12 shots and infusions can not only give you a jolt of energy and boost your mood, they can also help keep your immune system in top condition.
Most scientists agree that vitamin C is not an effective treatment for the common cold. In a study by researchers at the University of Toronto, subjects were divided into two groups: an experimental group that received vitamin C pills at the onset of cold symptoms, and a control group that received placebo pills.
