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[Freya]

Hi there,

I seem to have an awfully hard time absorbing zinc - I've been taking supplements on and off for over 3 years, and even at one stage had a course of IV zinc - but still low! To give some background, I do have mild pyrolia which means my body secretes zinc and B6. I'm currently taking between 20 and 50mg a day of zinc gluconate depending on how much I can stomach (makes me feel nauseus). I've found this is the only source I can take in relatively high doses without feeling too sick (I do take it on a full stomach). So what is going on with my malabsorption? Could it be counteracting with something else I'm taking, which is:

3 x AOR Multi basics plus
Iodone/folate supplment (250ug iodine, 500ug folate)
3 x Activated B6 (pyridoxal5-phosphate 20mg)
1x fish oil
1x Evening Primrose Oil

By the way, I also have a hard time absorbing iron, and take supplements sporadically as I get frustrated at the lack of results. All my other levels are fine, although at one stage I had an iodine deficiency. I've heard that Lactoferrin is crucial to iron absorption (and am actually considering trying kefir for this) - is there something similar for zinc?

Also, strangely enough I almost never get sick, and shouldn't I be practically bed ridden with my low zinc. Very confusing!

Thanks!
Freya

[Freya]

Found some answers to my own question:

http://jn.nutrition....ull/130/5/1378S

Thus, it appears that feeding low zinc diets increases zinc absorption in all age groups and that homeostatic mechanisms up-regulate zinc absorption and retention. Previous zinc intake may therefore have an effect on studies on zinc bioavailability.

The amount of protein in a meal is positively correlated to zinc absorption (Sandström et al. 1980 ). When compiling results from several studies with humans to whom various protein sources and amounts had been administered, fractional zinc absorption increased in a linear fashion with increasing protein content (Sandström 1992 ).

The type of protein in a meal will also affect zinc bioavailability. Animal protein (e.g., beef, eggs, cheese) has been shown to counteract the inhibitory effect of phytate on zinc absorption from single meals (Sandström and Cederblad 1980 ), but this may be due to amino acids released from the protein that keep the zinc in solution (see later) rather than a unique effect of animal protein as such. Casein in milk has been shown to have a negative effect on zinc absorption.