Zinc Balance

Zinc plays an important part in many different enzymes in digestion, metabolism, respiration and immune system in the human body. The synergistic combination of the essential micronutrients zinc and copper in a 15:1 ratio prevents a decreased copper resorption in the intestine, which can occur during an over-supplementation with zinc. Due to the complex with the essential amino acid l-methionine, zinc has an especially good bioavailability and can be used optimal in the metabolism. Also, copper can be absorbed very well.

Since the human body hasn’t the function to store zinc in any cells or organs, an adequate intake via food or supplements is important. The daily recommendation for an optimal zinc intake is 10 mg and the maximum tolerable amount per day is 25 mg. Therefore, Zinc Balance has an optimal balance with 15 mg. A higher zinc intake should be completed with an appropriate food intake.

An important source for zinc are animal products, like meat or dairy. Also, whole-grain products contain a lot of zinc, so that it’s basically possible to meet the recommendations with a well-balanced diet. The same can be said for copper. Important sources for copper are fish, entrails, nuts and legumes.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has zinc a lot of positive health-related effects on the body, like:

• the contribution to a normal cognitive function,
• the contribution to the maintenance of normal serum testosterone concentrations (important for the muscle building training for athletes),
• the contribution to normal fertility and reproduction,
• the contribution to maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails,
• the contribution to maintenance of normal vision,
• the contribution to normal protein synthesis,
• the contribution to normal metabolism of fatty acids,
• the contribution to normal carbohydrate metabolism (important for patients with diabetes mellitus),
• the contribution to normal acid-base metabolism,
• the contribution to maintenance of normal bone. 

Also, copper has, according to the EFSA some positive effects on the human body, like:

• the contribution to normal function of the nervous system,
• the contribution to normal energy yielding metabolism,
• the contribution to maintenance of normal connective tissues,
• the contribution to normal iron transport in the body,
• the contribution to normal skin and hair pigmentation.

Even though it’s not common to overdose zinc and copper, experts from the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF 2003) proposed these maximum tolerable daily intakes for different age groups:

*not during pregnancy and lactation