Optimal Timing for Zinc and Copper Supplementation: Together or Apart?
Explore the best practices for taking zinc and copper supplements to avoid mineral absorption interference. Learn when to take them together or separately, particularly at high doses, and the potential impact on copper absorption. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
zinc and copper? When to take, together or hours apart?
zinc and copper?
I know you're supposed to take em together but like at the same time or a few hours apart or when exactly?
When it comes to taking zinc and copper supplements, it's important to consider the interaction between the two minerals. High doses of zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper. Taking more than 50 mg of zinc per day over a period of weeks can lead to copper deficiency by inducing the synthesis of a copper-binding protein called metallothionein, which traps copper in the intestinal cells and prevents its absorption12.
To minimize the risk of copper deficiency, it's generally advised that zinc and copper should not be taken simultaneously in large doses. For those taking high doses of zinc (above the recommended 40 mg per day), it might be beneficial to take these minerals at different times to enhance their absorption. However, typical dietary or supplemental intakes of zinc and copper can be taken together without issue, especially if they are formulated in a balanced supplement that regulates both minerals proportionately123.
If you are considering high doses or have concerns about mineral absorption, it might be best to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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