Should I take zinc and vitamin c at the same time?

Zinc and vitamin C are two trace elements that are important for the immune system and the development of the body. So we must get enough zinc and vitamin C, sometimes through some supplements. Should you take zinc and vitamin C at the same time? Let’s go with Solife to find the answer!

1. General information about Zinc

Zinc is an extremely important trace element, indispensable for the human body. Zinc participates in cellular structural components and affects biological processes in the body: selectively acting in the synthesis and breakdown of nucleic acids and proteins; activating many enzymes. In general, this is the substance that affects the most important component of life.

1.1. Effects of zinc supplementation for the body

Zinc is taken into the body mainly through the gastrointestinal tract and absorbed in the small intestine. The effects of zinc can be mentioned as:

• Plays an important role in cell growth and division. Supplementing zinc for the body to ensure the process of maintaining stem cells, creating blood cells, fat cells, restructuring the heart, developing the bone and muscle system,… Zinc also plays an important role in production. insulin – a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

• Zinc is important in the development of fetuses, infants and children because it is a trace element that affects cell growth and division.

• Improves the immune system by stimulating the body to produce B lymphocytes; Helps strengthen immunity and fight infections.

• Zinc helps in brain development. The memory center of the brain has a very high zinc content, so it cannot be deficient. In addition, zinc and vitamin B6 also play an important role in nerve conduction.

• Zinc is important for reproductive function in both men and women. In men, zinc helps maintain and ensure sperm quality and male sexual ability. In women, zinc has the effect of regulating menstruation, reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

• Zinc helps increase appetite and regulate taste.

• Zinc helps absorb and metabolize other trace elements: copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), … Therefore, when the body lacks zinc, it will lead to deficiency of many elements. other microelements, disrupting metabolism and greatly affecting health.

1.2. When should zinc be taken for best absorption?

Zinc is supplemented through the gastrointestinal tract. So when should we add zinc? Catching the right time to supplement zinc helps you absorb zinc well and not have digestive problems!

Accordingly, you should not take zinc on an empty stomach because it can cause digestive disorders. The appropriate time to take zinc supplements is within 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Especially, you should use zinc supplements in the morning to help the body absorb this substance best.

2. General information about vitamin C

Along with zinc, Vitamin C is also an essential trace element for human health.

2.1. Benefits of supplementing with vitamin C for the body

Here are some benefits when supplementing with Vitamin C for the body:

• Vitamin C has a strong antioxidant effect and encourages the body to produce white blood cells and help them function more efficiently. Therefore, the body when enough vitamin C has a good resistance, fights infections and increases the ability to heal wounds.

• Vitamin C also helps prevent some diseases such as: heart disease, gout, joint disease, control blood pressure, enhance mental clarity and reduce chronic diseases.

• Vitamin C is especially important for people with weak resistance or just getting sick because this substance helps the body strengthen natural immunity, enhance self-healing ability.

2.2. When should vitamin C be taken for best absorption?

Vitamin C is not stored in the body, the body only takes the necessary amount of vitamin and the excess is eliminated through the urine. There are many fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C that we often use in our daily diets. However, for some reason, you need to supplement vitamin C with supplements, when should you take it? The answer is when you’re hungry. You should take vitamin C in the morning, about 30 minutes before eating or 2 hours after eating.

3. How to supplement zinc and vitamin C

With zinc and vitamin C, in addition to dietary supplements, you can also supplement with supporting foods. So how exactly are these supplements used?

3.1. How to supplement zinc?

The foods that support zinc supplementation are very diverse such as: zinc-fortified seasoning, zinc-fortified milk, zinc-fortified nuggets, zinc-fortified cakes, … For adults, zinc supplements are used. more common use. Zinc tablets are very convenient and quite easy for the body to absorb

The need for zinc varies from person to person and at every stage of development. You need to pay attention to this because too much zinc should not be provided. Specifically:

• Children from 7 months to 3 years old: need about 5mg of elemental zinc/day

• Children 4 to 13 years old: about 10mg of elemental zinc/day

• Adults: about 15 mg of elemental zinc/day

• Pregnant women: about 15-25mg of elemental zinc/day.

3.2. How to supplement vitamin C

Unlike zinc, excess vitamin C is not stored in the body but is excreted in the urine. Therefore, you do not need to worry too much about adding this type of element. However, in fact, we should not add more than 2000mg to avoid causing stomach upset.

Read more: The 10 best vitamin C product brands

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so effervescent supplements are very popular. Besides, oral tablets and lozenges are also suitable forms for you to use.

4. Should zinc and vitamin C be taken at the same time?

As 2 trace elements necessary for health and need to be supplemented regularly, should zinc and vitamin C be taken at the same time? The answer is yes for the following reasons:

• These two elements both help increase resistance effectively and are essential for the immune system. Combined use ensures the body is full of vitamins and zinc, the body is fully protected.

• The optimal time to supplement these two substances is also quite similar, You should drink in the morning to ensure the best absorption.

• Zinc and vitamin C do not inhibit each other when used together. In addition, vitamin C increases the absorption of zinc. As a result, when these two substances are used at the same time, it is easier for the body to have enough zinc.

In fact, there are many supplement products that are combining these two ingredients with the aim of enhancing comprehensive resistance, helping the body stay healthy and develop comprehensively.

Tham khảo: https://soyte.hanoi.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/-/asset_publisher/4IVkx5Jltnbg/content/vai-tro-cua-kem-voi-suc-khoe-con-nguoi 

Trần Hoàng Uyên

Trần Hoàng Uyên (Senior Manager Pharmaceutical company) là chuyên gia cấp cao với nhiều năm kinh nghiệm trong lĩnh vực dược phẩm. Tốt nghiệp cử nhân chuyên ngành Quản lý dược I tại Trường Đại học Y dược TP. Hồ Chí Minh và hiện đang công tác tại công ty dược phẩm. Với hơn 10 năm kinh nghiệm làm việc trong ngành dược, chị Hoàng Uyên là chuyên gia cộng tác tham vấn y khoa cho danh mục blog cũng như các nội dung liên quan trên Solife. (Tran Hoang Uyen (Senior Manager Pharmaceutical company) is a senior specialist with many years of experience in the Pharmaceutical field. She graduated Bachelor of Pharmacy Management I at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and is currently working for a pharmaceutical company. With more than 10 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Hoang Uyen is a medical consultant collaborator for content on Solife's website.)