Abstract
Objectives
The effectiveness of different short term zinc supplementation protocols has not been fully characterized. This study looked at how different doses and forms of zinc affected plasma measures of zinc status in young adult women (a group that seems somewhat prone to mild zinc deficiency).
Methods
Supplements were given for 4 weeks. Before and after this time, plasma readings were taken for total zinc, 5’-nucleotidase activities, alkaline phosphatase activities, and metallothionein levels.
Results
Different effects were seen for different protocols for different plasma measures. For yeast zinc, 10, 20, and 40 mg per day showed different levels of impact on the measures. For zinc oxide, 40 mg per day showed no effect on some of the measures. Increasing the dose to 80 mg per day did impact the plasma measures to some degree, but also produced complaints of GI discomfort in some subjects. Zinc glycinate at 40 mg/day altered all plasma measures taken.
Conclusions
In conclusion, for the study conditions used here, zinc dose, zinc form, and the measure being taken, all produced variations in the results obtained.
Funding Sources
Part of the research was funded by a grant from Bausch and Lomb.