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Zinc Aspartate

Zinc Aspartate

Aid Overall Health / Cleanse/Digestion / Gain Weight

Zinc aspartate is a supplemental form of zinc, an essential mineral. Most people get sufficient amounts of zinc from their diet, but people with certain conditions and eating plans, or in specific populations, may benefit from supplementing with zinc aspartate.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alcoholics, people who eat low amounts of calories and elderly adults sometimes have low levels of zinc. People with conditions that cause absorption problems, such as celiac disease, are also at risk for zinc deficiency. Zinc aspartate helps treat low levels of zinc. 

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Summary

Zinc aspartate is a zinc supplement used to treat deficiencies and a variety of other conditions. Zinc is a metal and is known as an essential trace element, according to RXList.com . The body needs only trace amounts of zinc, but some is crucial to health. The mineral is necessary for cel... more

Zinc aspartate is a zinc supplement used to treat deficiencies and a variety of other conditions. Zinc is a metal and is known as an essential trace element, according to RXList.com . The body needs only trace amounts of zinc, but some is crucial to health.

The mineral is necessary for cellular metabolism and activation of around 100 enzymes. It also contributes to protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, cell division, wound healing and optimal functioning of the immune system.

From the span of pregnancy to adolescence, zinc is needed for growth and development.

Unlike macrominerals, the opposite of trace minerals, the human body cannot store zinc. It therefore requires a daily intake through diet or supplements. Zinc aspartate is one option for meeting necessary intake levels of this essential mineral.

Zinc Deficiency

Failure to consume adequate levels of zinc from the diet increases risk of a zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency is characterized by reduced immune function, growth retardation and appetite loss. According to a dietary supplement fact sheet on zinc from the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, a severe zinc deficiency can lead to:

  • Diarrhea
  • Delayed sexual maturation
  • Impotence
  • Hair loss
  • Skin lesions
  • Eye lesions

Severe deficiency may also cause hypogonadism in men, which is when the testes make few or no hormones.

Other potential symptoms of a zinc deficiency include lethargy, tasting issues and weight loss. Wounds can take more time to heal as well. Zinc aspartate taken regularly increases levels of zinc in the body to correct a deficiency.

IBD

Zinc aspartate is beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to the Mayo Clinic, taking 300 milligrams of zinc aspartate by mouth every day for four weeks treats IBD. Three hundred milligrams of zinc aspartate provides 60 milligrams of elemental zinc.

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. People with IBD may have inflammation in a part of their digestive tract or all if it. IBD may cause pain, debilitation or even potentially fatal complications.

Zinc sulfate may be more effective for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are two different types of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Diarrhea

Zinc aspartate may help with diarrhea. According to RXList.com, zinc is likely effective for decreasing diarrhea in children with low levels of zinc or who suffer from malnutrition.

Wilson's disease

Zinc is likely beneficial for people with Wilson's disease. Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder that makes the body absorb and retain excessive levels of copper. This may lead to tissue damage and even impaired organ function.

Zinc helps the body to reduce its copper intake and therefore can help people with Wilson's disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center .

Common Cold

Zinc lozenges may reduce the duration that the common cold lasts.However, zinc aspartate nasal sprays, gels or pills are unlikely to prevent colds.

Eating Disorders

People with eating disorders may find zinc aspartate supplements beneficial. Zinc supplements can reduce depression in people who have eating disorders, according to the RXList.com. It may also promote weight gain.

Acne

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some research indicates that zinc supplements can help improve signs of acne. These studies were for oral supplements and used amounts high enough to risk toxicity.

A topical application of zinc used along with a topical antibiotic may also be beneficial but more research is needed.

Hypogeusia

Zinc supplements may possibly be effective for treating hypogeusia. This is a rare condition that results in an abnormal sense of taste.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by lack of bone density. Bones that have low density are weak and break more easily. Low levels of zinc is associated with lower bone density, according to RXList.com.

Increasing zinc intake with zinc aspartate may prevent loss of bone mass. Postmenopausal women who take zinc with other minerals, such as calcium, copper and manganese, could experience a reduction in bone loss.

RXList.com states that zinc is possibly effective for improving additional conditions, including:

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
  • Leprosy
  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica
  • Herpes simplex virus
  • Leg wounds
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Muscle cramps
  • Burns

Side Effects

Zinc supplementation is associated with some side effects. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Upset stomach
  • Metallic taste in the mouth

Supplementing with high amounts of zinc may lead to additional symptoms, such as:

  • Anemia
  • Lower alcohol tolerance
  • Dizziness
  • Elevated perspiration
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Hallucinations
  • Reduced coordination

Extremely high amounts of zinc supplementation can result in a weakened immune system. It could also lower levels of the "good" cholesterol (HDL) and increase levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL).

Medication Interactions

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, zinc supplements may interact with certain medications. Zinc interacts with tetracycline antibiotics and quinolone antibiotics, reducing absorption and effectiveness of both the zinc and antibiotics. People can reduce the interaction effects by taking antibiotics two hours before, or waiting four to six hours after, taking zinc.

Zinc may also inhibit absorption of penicillamine. These two substances are less likely to interact if taken two hours apart.

Intake Recommendations

The University of Maryland Medical Center states the recommended amounts of zinc are as follows:

Pediatric:

  • Birth to 6 months: 2 milligrams
  • 7 to 12 months: 3 milligrams
  • 1 to 3 years: 3 milligrams
  • 4 to 8 years: 5 milligrams
  • 9 to 13 years: 8 milligrams

Teenager:

  • Boys 14 to 18 years: 11 milligrams
  • Girls 14 to 18 years: 9 milligrams

Adult:

  • Men 19 years and older: 11 milligrams
  • Women 19 years and older: 8 milligrams
  • Pregnant women 14 to 18 years: 12 milligrams
  • Pregnant women 19 years and older: 11 milligrams
  • Breastfeeding women 14 to 18 years: 13 milligrams
  • Breastfeeding women 19 years and older: 12 milligrams

Upper Intake Levels

Taking more than the recommended amount is generally safe as long as people do not exceed 40 milligrams, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

However, children and teenagers should stick to lower amounts, which vary by age and gender, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Upper intake levels for zinc are:

Pediatrics:

  • 0 to 6 months: 4 milligrams
  • 7 to 12 mouths: 5 milligrams
  • 1 to 3 years: 7 milligrams
  • 4 to 8 years: 12 milligrams
  • 9 to 13 years: 23 milligrams

Teenager/Adult:

  • 14 to 18 years: 34 milligrams
  • 19 years and older: 40 milligrams
  • Pregnant and lactating women 14 to 18 years: 34 milligrams
  • Pregnant and lactating women 19 years and older: 40 milligrams

 

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Sources

http://www.drugs.com/international/zinc-aspartate.html
http://www.rxlist.com/zinc-page2/supplements.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/zinc-000344.htm
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/zinc/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/zinc/NS_patient-zinc/DSECTION=dosing
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-bowel-disease/DS01195
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002175/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001789/

Other

  • Side Effects
  • Other Names
  • Uses
Anemia
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Hallucinations
Headaches
Metallic Taste
Nausea
Perspiration
Upset Stomach
Bis(aspartato)zinc, Zinc aspartate, Zink DL-aspartat, Zink DL-hydrogenasparaginat, Unizink, Zincas, Zinkaspart, Zinkotase
Acne
Acrodermatitis
ADD/ADHD
Burns
Diarrhea
Herpes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Leg Wounds
Leprosy
Macular Degeneration
Muscle Cramps
Prevents Osteoporosis
Shorten Cold Duration
Sickle Cell Anemia
Stomach Ulcers
Treats Wilson's Disease