The issue of proper amount of intake for minerals such as zinc oscillates between how much is too little, and how much is excessive. Zinc has some very important functions in the body related to supporting its different metabolisms, proper enzyme formation, healthy sperm in males, and so forth. Despite all the needed roles it plays, it is also said that it is easy to reach toxic levels of intake for the mineral. Ingesting a zinc supplement can ensure the body has taken in enough of the substance to perform the 300 functions around the body. But it can also increase the risk of zinc poisoning.

40 to 45 mg of zinc per day is the recommended upper limit for the mineral, according to nutritionists. But the research also indicates real toxicity only results after taking in 100 mg of zinc within a 24-hour period. Since the RDA is 15 mg a day, it is frequently argued that no zinc supplement is needed in the diet. Excess zinc can lead to interference with the absorption of copper and iron within the body. Men, however, require more zinc than women and suffer from zinc deficiency more readily than women. This fact can complicate the matter is to whether zinc levels are deficient or toxic in a given individual.

Another complicating factor is the issue that most minerals are poorly absorbed in the body. Your body may want 45 mg of zinc for optimal functioning, but consuming a 50 mg zinc supplement may result only in 10 mg of it reaching the bloodstream. If the metabolism has a problem naturally processing zinc in order for it to perform its actions, it’s almost as if the mineral isn’t present in the body. Given the unique physiology of a given person, if you have suffered from metabolic problems in the absorption or bioactivity of zinc it’s best to have a physician diagnose your case and recommend a proper course of action.

Depending on individual, there may not be complications in absorbing zinc but in retaining proper levels internally due to the tendency to excrete the mineral in sweat, urine or other elimination events. If a zinc supplement is useful for combating this in your own case, there may be a best version of a tab you should pursue purchasing, and the best kind of circumstance for taking it. For many people, trying a mineral pill or capsule after breakfast with a full glass of water works best. Using a tab that has an enteric coating may help with absorption, along with applying it in lozenge form.