Best time to take Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral for maintaining many aspects of our health, including our skin, immune system, eye health, and much more. Some people may take a zinc tablet if their diet doesn’t deliver the recommended daily allowance for zinc.

But should you take your zinc first thing in the morning or wait until dinner? Let’s explore the best time to take zinc and how much you should be taking.

When is the best time to take zinc supplements?

The best time to take zinc supplements is at least one hour before or two hours after meals for optimal effectiveness.

However, if taking zinc supplements causes stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal.

When is the best time to take zinc supplements, morning (AM) or night (PM)?

For optimal effectiveness, take zinc supplements at least one hour prior to or two hours after meals. The best time to take your zinc supplement depends on personal preference either morning or night.

What should you not take with zinc?

Zinc can interact or interfere with other minerals and medications. When taking zinc, you should not take iron and calcium supplements (hydroxyapatite, lactate, and gluconate) simultaneously, as this reduces zinc absorption.

Zinc should also be taken at least one hour before or after antibiotics, as it can reduce their effectiveness. In addition, you should also avoid taking tetracycline and zinc together; tetracycline binds to zinc and reduces its absorption.

It is important to note that zinc can interfere with the absorption of other medications, such as quinolone antibiotics, bisphosphonates, and penicillamine. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking zinc supplements to ensure that it will not interfere with any other medications you are taking.

How much zinc do we need per day?

The table below shows the recommended daily intake of zinc:

Gender:	Amount of zinc per day:
Men	8 mg per day
Women	6 mg per day

Can you take zinc every day?

Yes, it is safe to take zinc every day. If possible, it is best to aim to meet your RDI through food sources first. Zinc has many benefits to our health, however, too much can cause serious side effects. Signs of too much zinc intake include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, lack of appetite, diarrhoea, and headaches.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Taking Zinc?

Zinc has many benefits beyond increasing our immune system, such as:

Zinc can help improve skin health in individuals with skin diseases such as acne and eczema.
Zinc is important for wound healing and body growth, tissue repair, and hormone synthesis.
Zinc can impact cognitive development and support fertility in both men and women.
Zinc plays a part in the production of enzymes and proteins in the body, which are essential for many bodily functions.
Furthermore, zinc can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can help protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Does the Time of Day Matter When Taking Zinc?

The time of day does not matter when taking a zinc supplement. It is down to personal preference, especially if you are experiencing some side effects. If you are having side effects, it is best to take your zinc supplement one hour before a meal or two hours after.

FAQs about zinc supplements & tablets

Should i take zinc in the morning or at night

Is it ok to take zinc at night?

Thankfully, the time of day does not matter when taking a zinc supplement. If you find taking zinc at night works for you then you can continue to do that.

What foods contain zinc?

Zinc can be found in many food sources, such as beans, red meat, oysters, shrimp, crab, miso, nuts, whole-grain cereals, pastas, and breads.

Can I take zinc at night?

The best time to take zinc is down to personal preference. As a result, you can take zinc at night.