Zinc 25 mg, 60 tablets

Zinc is a trace element: the body needs it in small amounts, yet it is present in many cells and enzymes. It is a chemical element that cannot be replaced by another, and it reaches the body through food or through food supplements.

In supplements zinc comes as a salt, so on the label it matters which form has been used. Zinc gluconate, citrate, oxide and sulphate are the more common ones. This product names zinc gluconate, in which zinc is bound to gluconic acid. The label gives the amount of zinc as 25 mg per tablet.

Zinc is found in meat, seafood, dairy products and eggs. It is also in pulses, seeds, nuts and wholegrain foods. The amount varies with the food and with how it was prepared, so we give no figures here.

A balanced diet usually supplies zinc from several sources at once. A supplement is one way to include zinc in your day, but it does not replace food.

It is a pack of 60 tablets with a net weight of 45.0 g. The label lists the ingredients as follows: bulking agents dicalcium phosphate and microcrystalline cellulose, zinc gluconate, anti-caking agents magnesium salts of fatty acids and silicon dioxide.

Bulking agents and anti-caking agents are auxiliary substances that help form the tablet. Their amounts are not stated on the label. The only nutrient given with an amount and a percentage of NRV is zinc.

The European Union register authorises the following statements about zinc. They are general statements about the nutrient, and they apply to zinc, of which this tablet provides 250 % NRV.

• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
• Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
• Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.
• Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis.
• Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism.
• Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism.
• Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids.
• Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A.
• Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
• Zinc has a role in the process of cell division.

The label says: adults, 1 tablet a day with a meal. The simplest way is to tie the tablet to one meal, for example breakfast, and keep the pack where you can see it. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

If you also take a calcium or an iron product, keep to a practical tip: take a calcium product and a zinc product at different meals, and likewise a zinc product and an iron product. If you take several products containing the same substance, add up the total amount and do not exceed the dose recommended on the label.

Not recommended in case of individual intolerance to any ingredient, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep out of the reach of children, in the original pack, in a dry place at room temperature. Do not use the supplement as a substitute for a complete and balanced diet.

The label states that one tablet contains 25 mg of zinc, which is 250 % of the NRV. NRV is the nutrient reference value. The percentage shows what share of that reference value one tablet provides, not how many tablets to take: the dose is one tablet a day.

The order of ingredients on a label usually reflects their quantity. Here the bulking agents are named first, then zinc gluconate, and then the anti-caking agents.

In this product the only nutrient is zinc, and the price per day is lower. In the second one zinc comes together with calcium, magnesium and D3, and its name gives zinc 12.5 mg. If you take both, add up the total zinc from the labels and do not exceed the recommended dose. Take a calcium product and a zinc product at different meals.

Can I take zinc with coffee?

This product contains no iron, so the practical tip about iron products and coffee does not apply to it. The zinc tablet is taken with a meal, as the label says. If you also take other supplements, follow each label and do not exceed the total dose.

Is this product suitable for vegetarians?

The label shows no meat, fish or other clearly listed animal-derived ingredients, but the product is not marked as vegetarian or vegan. If you follow strict rules, check the origin of the ingredients with the seller before use or consult a specialist.

Can zinc be taken together with an iron or a calcium product?

Yes, but at separate meals: take a zinc product and an iron product at different meals, and likewise a calcium product and a zinc product. If you take several products containing the same substance, add up the total amount and do not exceed the dose recommended on the label.

Can zinc be taken during pregnancy?

The label states that zinc 25 mg is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a zinc tablet, carry on the next day with your usual dose, which is one tablet. Do not take two tablets in one day to make up for it, and do not exceed the daily dose on the label.

How should I store the tablets, and how long do they keep once opened?

The label says to store them in the original pack, in a dry place at room temperature, out of the reach of children. No separate period after opening is given on the label, so go by the best-before date printed on the pack.