Isn't taking zinc supposed to make you feel better? (doctor, deficiency, weight)
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Hi, I'm 25 and recently started taking zinc supplements. The supplements said they had 330 percent of zinc. I stopped taking them because I started feeling horrible. I lost a lot of weight (although I was eating constantly), my libido went way down, and I was feeling quite weak. I thought zinc is supposed to make you feel better and stronger. I feel a lot better since I've stopped taking it actually.
Hi, I'm 25 and recently started taking zinc supplements. The supplements said they had 330 percent of zinc. I stopped taking them because I started feeling horrible. I lost a lot of weight (although I was eating constantly), my libido went way down, and I was feeling quite weak. I thought zinc is supposed to make you feel better and stronger. I feel a lot better since I've stopped taking it actually.
It probably won't make you feel better if you don't need it.
Zinc needs to be balanced with copper. If you take too much zinc without the appropriate amount of copper, you'll develop a copper deficiency.
Some people take zinc when they are sick because it's supposed to help with immunity but it usually isn't something to keep taking. Elderly people need extra zinc. There is no decent test to know if you need zinc or not. If it's making you feel worse, you don't need to take it.
This is a good example of how nutritional supplements - while they certainly have their place - can be anything but inert or harmless if they are misused.
While I am guessing that the OP is not paying attention to this thread any more, my question to him would have been what his justification was for starting aggressive zinc supplementation.
As was pointed out, zinc antagonizes copper and vice/versa...the human body needs both of these...and not a significantly high amount of either.
The OP was essentially poisoning himself by getting a nutritionally unbalanced state, creating unnecessarily a state of poor health.
I am a free market proponent so am overall happy that nutritional supplements have thus far avoided "stricter" government regulation or oversight. However, stories like this do nothing positive for my perspective. The OP is fortunate that he (presumably) ceased taking this supplement when he did!
This is a good example of how nutritional supplements - while they certainly have their place - can be anything but inert or harmless if they are misused.
While I am guessing that the OP is not paying attention to this thread any more, my question to him would have been what his justification was for starting aggressive zinc supplementation.
As was pointed out, zinc antagonizes copper and vice/versa...the human body needs both of these...and not a significantly high amount of either.
The OP was essentially poisoning himself by getting a nutritionally unbalanced state, creating unnecessarily a state of poor health.
I am a free market proponent so am overall happy that nutritional supplements have thus far avoided "stricter" government regulation or oversight. However, stories like this do nothing positive for my perspective. The OP is fortunate that he (presumably) ceased taking this supplement when he did!
Yes, the OP probably had zero need for zinc but for some reason he took it anyway. It depletes copper, as you stated. As I always say, GET TESTED IF POSSIBLE before starting any supplement or at least take it on the advice of a doctor or a well trained, knowledgeable nutritionist. Even then, I would look it up on the internet to be on the safe side. Zinc is usually needed by the elderly--how old was the OP? Twenty five?
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