[Architekt]

Whoever was talking about caffeine content in green tea before, remember it's also full of ephedrine (very similar to amphetamine), which will keep you wide awake and focused. Not the best idea before bed.

Came home the other day expecting to get my vitamins and minerals in.... and the rest of my bottle of zinc is missing ): Still got some Mg, and a multivit with a little Zn in it. Better than nothing, I guess

[DavidZRH]

I haven't noticed any major differences in me since I started taking the 50mg Zinc supplements. There is a minor difference but I'm not sure if it's related to the Zinc.

I have been waking up early before the alarm clock goes off. My alarm is set at 7am and I have noticed recently that I naturally wake up around 6am. And it's not because I need to pee. I wake up and I sort of lie in bed for the next hour until my alarm goes off.

Anybody else wake up earlier since you starting taking Zinc supplements?

DavidZRH

[RexImperator]

Interesting article about Zinc supplementation:

Top Ten Benefits of Zinc

There's a bit at the bottom that describes how to test if you are deficient. FYI The article is from a company that sells supplements, but it does include some references at the end.

Quote:

Top Ten Benefits of Zinc
By Poliquin Group™ Editorial Staff

Improve all aspects of your health and well-being by making sure you get enough zinc in your diet. Many people know about zinc for its immune boosting properties, but this mineral is actually a wonder of health benefits. Researchers write that “zinc is such a critical element in human health that even a small deficiency is a disaster.”

Zinc is so important because it is found in every tissue in the body and is directly involved in cell division. It is a powerful antioxidant, helping to prevent cancer, but zinc also is directly involved in proper endocrine function and the maintenance of ideal hormone levels.

Zinc deficiency makes both men and women infertile and causes low libido. Low zinc also exacerbates the effects of stress on the body and accelerates aging. Additionally, adequate zinc is necessary for optimal physical performance, energy levels, and body composition. Zinc affects protein synthesis and is required for proper function of red and white blood cells. It is highly concentrated in our bones, the pancreas, kidneys, liver, and retina.

This article will give you the top ten reasons why you should attend to your zinc levels and ensure your loved ones are doing so as well. Be aware that zinc deficiency is not only prevalent in malnourished individuals or developing countries. Rather, it is widespread in the U.S. and the UK, and it is particularly common in areas where the population eats a large amount of cereal and grain proteins. Low zinc is common in men, women, and children, and I’ve found that over 90 percent of my clients and athletes are zinc deficient.

Groups At Greatest Risk of Low Zinc
Zinc deficiency occurs from not eating enough zinc-rich foods. Zinc is found in large concentrations in meat, some seafood—oysters contain the largest concentration of all known foods—and dairy. Whole grains and legumes contain zinc, but it is bound to phytates in these plant-based foods, making the zinc inaccessible by the body. Vegetarians are at greatest risk of zinc deficiency, but alcoholics and people with digestive issues and poor stomach acid are also highly susceptible. Taking medications may produce zinc deficiency and low levels of almost all essential nutrients. Women on the birth control pill or on hormone replacement therapy are at greater risk of deficiency.

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency
Low zinc will produce an altered sense of taste leading to cravings of saltier, sweeter food. Deficiency can also be indicated by diarrhea, low energy, chronic fatigue, infertility, poor immunity, bad memory, inability to focus, ADD symptoms, slow wound healing, nerve dysfunction, and ringing in the ears. Take note that symptoms may be present, but because they are so diverse and associated with other health conditions, it’s often hard to make the link to zinc deficiency without a test. A guide is provided at the end of this article on how to test your zinc level.

#1 Improve Athletic Performance and Strength
Adequate zinc directly affects athletic performance and strength development from training because it plays a primary role in anabolic hormone production. Research shows having ample zinc available in the body allows for a more robust release of the three most important anabolic hormones, testosterone, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Without these, you’ll miss out on muscle and strength development from your hard work in the gym.

A recent study in the journal Biological Trace Element Research highlights the boost that raising zinc levels can give to testosterone production following exercise. Researchers found that giving trained athletes a zinc supplement for four weeks prior to an exhaustive exercise test resulted in a greater post-workout testosterone response than a placebo. Taking zinc produced higher testosterone levels in the athletes than taking a selenium supplement (a powerful antioxidant that minimizes oxidative stress in the testis). Researchers note that zinc enhances the conversion rate of androstenedione to testosterone, and that paired with high-intensity exercise, it allows the body to produce testosterone at an even higher rate.

Male and female athletes will benefit from adequate zinc since this mineral ensures healthy release of growth hormone and IGF-1, which are essential for performance and muscle development in both sexes. Plus, the boost to testosterone post-workout can improve strength gains recovery in men. And, as you’ll see below, having enough zinc will give you more energy and improve metabolism.

#2 Support Male Reproductive Health and Fertility
Zinc is a critical mineral for robust testosterone levels, and the cells of the male prostate require a very high concentration of zinc to work optimally. Low zinc in men impairs testosterone production, puts them at risk for developing prostate cancer, and causes infertility. Inadequate zinc has also been linked to low libido.

One recent study of 88 men aged 40 to 60 years showed that those with normal testosterone levels had significantly higher zinc compared to those with low testosterone levels. Low zinc was directly correlated with low testosterone levels, which put the men at greater risk of symptoms of male menopause.

Just as important, zinc is used to produce enzymes that initiate cell division, but the male prostate tissue requires ten times more zinc than other cells in the body to stay healthy. Adequate zinc level in the prostate protects the cells from damage, inflammation, and cancer development. Also, once the prostate cells are damaged and become cancerous, they lack the ability to accumulate zinc, leading to greater propagation of cancer cells that produce to tumors.

Giving a large dose of therapeutic zinc to rats with prostate cancer halted cancer cell proliferation and helped the rats maintain body weight, which is an indicator of better overall health and homeostasis. There was reduced evidence of biomarkers that indicate oxidative stress and inflammation in the prostate from the zinc supplement. Overall enzyme levels were better. In contrast, a placebo group had a rapid increase in cancer cell growth and decrease in body weight. There was also a 50 percent increase in DNA damage and inflammation during the study period, indicating a progressively diseased prostate cancer state.

Researchers write that zinc is a “promising anti-cancer treatment” and that regular supplementation when men are healthy with no evidence of cancer is the best prevention. They also suggest zinc can prevent related cancers such as ovarian, breast, and colorectal.

#3 Support Female Reproductive Health and Fertility
In women, zinc is involved in the growth process of the oocyte or egg. If women are zinc deficient, the egg won’t mature properly and ovulation will be impeded, causing infertility. Adequate zinc allows women to use estrogen and progesterone efficiently, supporting reproductive health and ensuring that estrogen does what it’s supposed to do in the body. When estrogen levels become too high, or are inefficiently metabolized they can cause poor reproductive health and breast cancer.

#4 Prevent Cancer and Boost Immune Function
Ananda Prasad, a leading researcher in the field of zinc and health, notes that simply ensuring our zinc levels are adequate can help cure a number of the most severe health problems, especially cancer and poor immune function. Along with prostate cancer, low zinc plays a role in the development of most cancers since it is instrumental in healthy cell proliferation. Recent evidence links zinc deficiency to cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, lungs, skin, and leukemia.

Zinc deficiency profoundly affects the immune system because low zinc produces a direct and rapid decline in T cell function. T cells elevate the body’s immune system when viruses, bacteria, or challenges to health arise. Older people are at greater risk of zinc deficiency, which is not thought to be solely due to poor dietary intake. There’s evidence that a need for more zinc may increase with age to counter inflammation, support the immune system, and ensure healthy cell function.

#5 Improve Cardiovascular Health
Zinc is vital to maintain the health of cardiovascular cells and the endothelium. The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that lines the blood vessels and plays a major role in circulation. Low zinc can cause a deficiency in the endothelial barrier, which leads to high cholesterol buildup and inflammation. Cholesterol and inflammation increase your risk of heart disease.

Studies show that poor zinc status can amplify the negative cardiovascular effects of a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, whereas an adequate zinc intake will have a protective effect and inhibit the progression of heart disease. The elderly population is especially susceptible to the buildup of inflammatory markers including C-reactive proteins and cytokines, which have been called “slow, silent killers.”

#6 Become More Sensitive to Insulin and Prevent Diabetes
Zinc is needed for the healthy function of most hormones, including insulin. Adequate zinc plays at least three roles in insulin health. First, zinc binds to insulin so that insulin is adequately stored in the pancreas and released when glucose enters the blood stream.

Second, zinc improves cell health, making up a component of the enzymes necessary for insulin to bind to cells so that glucose can enter and be used as fuel. The process of insulin binding to the cell is what is referred to with the term “insulin sensitivity” and means that the cell is receptive to insulin. Once insulin binds to the cell, it “opens the door” so that the glucose can enter. If the cell is resistant to insulin, glucose will stay in the blood stream, cause high blood sugar, and ultimately lead to fat gain. When zinc concentration falls, there is a reduction in insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity, which if persistent, will lead to diabetes

Third, zinc has anti-inflammatory effects as mentioned in #5 via its role in abolishing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive proteins. Zinc also helps get rid of substances that cause inflammation in cells, helping to preserve cell health and insulin sensitivity.

A recent study of Spanish school children found a direct relationship between low zinc levels, greater body fat content, and insulin resistance. The children who were classified as zinc deficient had poorer insulin sensitivity and greater glucose intolerance (a related measurement of persistent blood sugar levels) than those whose level was adequate.

#7 Get The Super Antioxidant Effects of Zinc
Zinc is an excellent antioxidant. The purpose of an antioxidant is to get rid of free radicals that cause damage to cells in the body by bonding with them and neutralizing them. Zinc is particularly good at countering the damaging effect of high iron. Zinc also targets free radicals that cause inflammation and is especially effective at detoxifying heavy metals from the brain.

#8 Detoxify The Brain of Heavy Metals and Prevent Alzheimer’s
The super antioxidant effects of zinc allow it to efficiently remove toxins from the body and keep them from building up in tissue and causing damage. The progression of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease is accelerated by heavy metal buildup in the brain. Zinc can help get rid of those toxins, and it also helps maintain cellular homeostasis of brain cells.

#9 Boost Brain Function and Treat ADHD
Zinc plays an essential role in neurotransmitter function and helps maintain brain structure and health. It is necessary in the metabolism of melatonin, which regulates dopamine. Also, zinc is part of an enzyme that is necessary for the anabolism of fatty acids in the brain membrane. This is very important because a key part of supporting brain health and function is to ensure the membrane gets the nutrients it needs.

A new study on rats tested the effect of giving supplemental zinc to pregnant females during gestation and lactation and found better spatial memory and overall cognitive development in the offspring. A large zinc dose produced the best results. Human studies are limited, but data on how zinc can treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) indicate its importance.

Zinc is a commonly ignored mineral for treating ADHD. Studies show children with ADHD tend to have lower zinc than healthy children. Even more promising, one study of 400 children with diagnosed ADHD found that taking 150 mg/d of zinc sulfate improved impaired social behavior and made subjects less hyperactive and impulsive than a placebo. Subjects that had higher body mass index and lower fatty acid level had more dramatic improvements in socialization and hyperactivity measures from taking zinc.

#10 Elevate Mood and Avoid Depression
The exact relationship between zinc deficiency and depression is unknown, however it surely has to do with the role of zinc in neurotransmitter and hormone production. Dopamine production, which is partly regulated by zinc status, is a chemical that boosts energy, mood, and reward-driven learning. Poor insulin health or low testosterone levels can lead to health problems that increase rates of depression and low energy. Throw in the antioxidant power of zinc and its ability to get rid of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor (causes cell damage), and it is reasonable to ensure zinc intake is adequate when treating depression.

A new study in the Journal of Affective Disorders showed that zinc deficiency may affect depression in women more than men. Women in this study who were already using antidepressants and had low zinc levels had a five times greater risk of ongoing depression. It’s thought that the gender-based relationship between low zinc and depression is related to how zinc influences energy levels and production of the hormone estrogen.

In women, estrogen is involved in serotonin production—the neurotransmitter that makes people feel good—and zinc supplementation can increase the density of serotonin receptors in the brain. Have you picked up on the theme that zinc plays multiple roles in the body, affecting numerous chemical messengers that play complex, essential, interconnected parts in the body?

How To Test Zinc Level
Before you start popping zinc at random, take note that there is an upper limit to dietary zinc. Zinc toxicity has produced poor immune health and infertility, just as low zinc compromises the immune system. Scientists suggest you perform a zinc test to measure your level and then supplement accordingly. Once you start taking zinc, your levels will rise and you should do another test six to eight weeks later for best results.

The simplest way to test for zinc is a taste test that works because we know that taste and smell are dependent on there being adequate zinc in the body. To do this test, get zinc sulfate and put about 1-2 teaspoons in a cup and sip it, holding it in the mouth. If it tastes just like water, you are very zinc deficient. If you taste something slightly metallic, you are moderately zinc deficient. If it tastes disgusting—strongly metallic and unpleasant—your levels are probably adequate. This test is subject to individual taste perception and it is not 100 percent valid, but it is a good place to start.

Other test options are a serum zinc test, but there are factors that can cause inaccuracies such as fluctuations from meals, stress, diurnal variations, and complications from other nutrient deficiencies. A plasma zinc test is another option and it will pick up severe zinc deficiencies, but it won’t indicate a more moderate deficiency. It should not be relied on because even a moderate deficiency will negatively influence health.

References:

Neek, L., Gaeini, A., Choobineh, S. Effect of Zinc and Selenium Supplementation on Serum Testosterone and Plasma Lactate in Cyclist After an Exhaustive Exercise Bout. Biological Trace Element Research. 9 July 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Chang, C., Choi, J., Kim, H., Park, S. Correlation Between Serum Testosterone Level and Concentrations of Copper and Zinc in Hair Tissue. Biological Trace Element Research. 14 June 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Maseregian, N., Hall, S., et al. Low Dietary or Supplemental Zinc is Associated with Depression Symptoms Among Women, But not Men, in a Population-Based Epidemiological Survey. Journal of Affective Disorders. October 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Piechal, A, Blecharz-Klin, K., et al. Maternal Zinc Supplementation Improves Spatial Memory in Rat Pups. Biological Trace elements Research. January 2012. Published Ahead of Print.

Banudevi, S., Elumalai, P., et al. Chemopreventive Effects of Zinc on Prostate Carcinogenesis Induced by N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea and Testosterone in Adult Male Spargue-Dawley Rats. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 201. 137(4), 677-86.

Gumulec, J., Masarik, M., et al. Molecular Mechanisms of Zinc in Prostate Cancer. Klinical Onkology. 2011. 24(4), 249-255.

Ortega, R., Rodriguez, E., et al. Poor Zinc Status is Associated with Increased Risk of Insulin Resistance in Spanish Children. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012. 107, 398-404.

Abdelhalim, Mohamed. Atherosclerosis Can be Strongly Influenced by Iron and Zinc Overload or Deficiency in the Lung and Kidney Tissues of Rabbits. African Journal of Microbiology Research. 2010. 4(24), 2748-2753.

Chasapis, C., Loutsidou, A., et al. Zinc and Human Health: An Update. Archives of Toxicology. November 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Tian, X., Diaz, F. Zinc Depletion Causes Multiple Defects in Ovarian Function During the Periovulatory Period in Mice. Endocrinology. 2012. 153(2), 873-886.

Wong, C., Ho, E. Zinc and its Role in Age-Related Inflammation and Immune Dysfunction. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2012. 56, 77-87.

Shinjini, B., Taneja, S. Zinc and Cognitive Development. British Journal of Nutrition. 2001. 85(Suppl 2), 139-145.

Maylor, E., Simpson, E., et al. Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults: the ZENITH Study. British Journal of Nutrition. 2006. 96, 752-760.

Prasad, Ananda. Zinc Deficiency. British Medical Journal. 2003. 326, 409-410.

Yary, T., Aazami, S. Dietary Intake of Zinc was Inversely Associated with Depression. Biological Trace Element Research. September 2011. Published Ahead of Print.

Dodig-Cukovic, K., Dovhang, J., et al. The Role of Zinc in the Treatment of Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Acta Medica Croatica. 2009. 63(4), 307313.

Bilici, M., Yildrim, F., et al. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Zinc Sulfate in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 2004. 28(1), 181-190.

[RenewalMan]

I've been taking Zinc on and off for about a year now. When I'm on it my libido is significantly higher and I have to have sex atleast 5 days (usually 2 times in that day) a week to be content with my sexual life. When I'm off it, that drops significantly. I've also found an increase in overall energy, drive and state stability. If I forget to take Zinc in the morning or wake up at some girls place and miss a daily dose, the effects are noticabale.
Granted I'm also taking several other vitamins simultanously (fish oil, vitamins B, and C, and most importantly Vitamin D), so it could be some sort of combination effect. Either way--it's noticable.

[PUA_Rachacha]

(01-15-2014 04:14 PM)DavidZRH Wrote:  

I haven't noticed any major differences in me since I started taking the 50mg Zinc supplements. There is a minor difference but I'm not sure if it's related to the Zinc.

I have been waking up early before the alarm clock goes off. My alarm is set at 7am and I have noticed recently that I naturally wake up around 6am. And it's not because I need to pee. I wake up and I sort of lie in bed for the next hour until my alarm goes off.

Anybody else wake up earlier since you starting taking Zinc supplements?

DavidZRH

Yes, but when have you been consuming zinc? Morning or evenings?

[SheWantsTheD]

I just started taking mine today. I got the Now Foods 50 MG with Copper. One thing I instantly noticed was I started pissing like a racehorse. This morning I probably pissed out twice as much as I drank. Did a little bit of google searching and some studies have shown that if you're Zinc deficient you can be holding excess water.

I took my first pill in the morning on an empty stomach with nothing but water and I had 0 stomach issues.

I took my second pill at lunch, but had cheese with it so I'm guessing that second tablet won't be absorbed?

Will take the last before bed with Magnesium and iodine (pretty sure my thyroid is messed up, and I am also about 99% sure I don't have Hashimoto's).

I am going to try 3, 50mg tablets a day the first week, 2 the next, then one after that and see how things go.

I took the test at my Dr's office where he gives it to you in liquid form and if you have adequate zinc you will want to spit it out, minor metallic taste if you're borderline, and no taste at all if you're deficient. I mean, it didn't exactly taste like water, tasted a little thicker, but I tasted no metallic taste to it. I'm hoping this helps me.


Also, I found this Q&A with an Oregon State professor and Zinc researcher who answers a lot of questions about the benefits and risks of zinc. The benefits are numerous, and the risks seem very, very minimal. Outside of stripping copper, she doesn't talk about much of anything because we just piss out the excess.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/fw08/zinc.html

[MidniteSpecial]

Yup. Just take some trace minerals along with it and you're good to go.

[SheWantsTheD]

(02-24-2014 02:26 PM)MidniteSpecial Wrote:  

Yup. Just take some trace minerals along with it and you're good to go.

Were you responding to me about the cheese thing?


Just wondering.

[TopPanda]

Wow, so much to read about Zinc here.

I'd just like to add that thanks to Zinc I've got over a cold in record time - I only really had one lousy day this time round, and I snuffed out the cold before it got to my chest (which can take months to recover from).

If you want to snuff out the office cold in record time then I'd also recommend sushi ginger. It's great at killing off the beginnings of sore throats.

[MidniteSpecial]

(02-24-2014 02:36 PM)SheWantsTheD Wrote:  

(02-24-2014 02:26 PM)MidniteSpecial Wrote:  

Yup. Just take some trace minerals along with it and you're good to go.

Were you responding to me about the cheese thing?


Just wondering.

What cheese thing?

[SheWantsTheD]

Oh sorry man, I asked if I took a pill at lunch that included a piece of cheese would it not absorb?

[Bushido]

Have been taking OptiZinc 30mg a day. No noticeable difference. Should I increase the dose?

[kosko]

(03-05-2014 08:51 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Have been taking OptiZinc 30mg a day. No noticeable difference. Should I increase the dose?

How long so far?

Like your not going to wake up feeling like Superman one morning but you will notice subtle differences over time. The first big change is semen volume, that usually only happens only after 5-7 days of increased Zinc uptake.You will start to sleep better, boners should be more frequent also.

Also calcium slows down Zinc absorption so take Zinc first thing in the AM and before bed and not around any ingestion of dairy products.

[Bushido]

(03-05-2014 10:20 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 08:51 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Have been taking OptiZinc 30mg a day. No noticeable difference. Should I increase the dose?

How long so far?

Like your not going to wake up feeling like Superman one morning but you will notice subtle differences over time. The first big change is semen volume, that usually only happens only after 5-7 days of increased Zinc uptake.You will start to sleep better, boners should be more frequent also.

Also calcium slows down Zinc absorption so take Zinc first thing in the AM and before bed and not around any ingestion of dairy products.

A week or so. Haven't really noticed any of those benefits yet. I drink milk in the evening so maybe that is interfering with my intake?

[kosko]

(03-06-2014 02:25 AM)dreambig Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 10:20 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 08:51 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Have been taking OptiZinc 30mg a day. No noticeable difference. Should I increase the dose?

How long so far?

Like your not going to wake up feeling like Superman one morning but you will notice subtle differences over time. The first big change is semen volume, that usually only happens only after 5-7 days of increased Zinc uptake.You will start to sleep better, boners should be more frequent also.

Also calcium slows down Zinc absorption so take Zinc first thing in the AM and before bed and not around any ingestion of dairy products.

A week or so. Haven't really noticed any of those benefits yet. I drink milk in the evening so maybe that is interfering with my intake?

If your taking them near each other ... then yes.

[Jasper]

(03-05-2014 10:20 PM)kosko Wrote:  

(03-05-2014 08:51 PM)dreambig Wrote:  

Have been taking OptiZinc 30mg a day. No noticeable difference. Should I increase the dose?

How long so far?

Like your not going to wake up feeling like Superman one morning but you will notice subtle differences over time. The first big change is semen volume, that usually only happens only after 5-7 days of increased Zinc uptake.You will start to sleep better, boners should be more frequent also.

Also calcium slows down Zinc absorption so take Zinc first thing in the AM and before bed and not around any ingestion of dairy products.

I've been taking Optizinc over the last month after reading this thread. I started with one a tab day but have been taking two tabs a day (60mg) with no obvious ill effects. I can 100% confirm what Kosko, it's exactly what I've experienced.

[Deuce Anna Half]

First time I took zinc (drugstore brand) it was right after drinking some ACV...I pretty much evacuated everything in my gut. What I didn't shit out I puked. Spent most of the night in the fetal position.

Now that I see where I fucked up I'll try it again.

[hoops330]

I'm not sure if it's placebo, coincidence, or sheer dumb luck, but since I started taking zma again I have been on a hot streak with the ladies.
My theory is that the first one could sense the added testosterone coursing through my veins. Once she marked her territory and left her scent on me the other females subconsciously took notice and couldn't fight off their primal instincts to procreate. Besides, almost all other mammals base their attraction off of their olfactory glands so why wouldn't we?

[Bushido]

OK I think it is taking effect now. Have been having very vivid dreams although I haven't noticed any other differences so far. I already eat a lot of meat and lift so that may be a reason.

[LaserBear]

Been doing this at 150mg a day for a bit (thanks to this thread) and love it.

I feel better, more alert, huge pornstar loads, etc.

But I have one warning. Take it with food, especially large doses. Taking 150 on an empty stomach with my preworkout left me curled up on the floor with sweat running down my face from the pain. For about 5 hours.
Only getting up to puke or shit.

1/10 would not reccomend.
Will not repeat the experience.

It ups and replaces your stomach acid or something like that.
It felt like i was digesting mysekf because i pretty much was.

[MidniteSpecial]

^^^^ Yeah and try 50 mg at 3 doses rAther than 150 in one sitting too.

[Flavius Aetius]

After reading through this entire thread I finally decided to do add more Zinc to my diet. 9 days into it now. I never thought I was zinc deficient, but it turns out I was. Despite cardio, weight lifting, sensible nutrition, and a normal sex life--I never had morning wood. Since adding 60mg of Zinc per day, that problem has been reversed. Sex drive overall has noticeably increased.

Only other change I have noticed is that I wake up about 15 mins before my daily alarm in the morning. Never had this happen before. I take 30mg in the morning, 15mg included in my daily multivitamin at lunch, and 30mg before I go to bed. Thanks MidniteSpecial for the heads up on Zinc. +1

[peterthephoenix]

Guys! Please do your research on the Copper-Zinc balance! Too much Zinc without a Copper balance can cause a copper deficiency in your body and cause fatigue/make you sick.

Optimal Ratio is around 1:8 (Copper to Zinc)

http://chriskresser.com/rhr-could-copper...g-you-sick
http://www.pillscout.com/2013/08/26/the-...onnection/

[MidniteSpecial]

Most people have copper surplus from pipes. So don't go crazy fussing about that. Just take this: http://m.pureformulas.com/trace-minerals...Ogod920ANQ

And you will be a ok.

[peterthephoenix]

Yeah I found this out after I over-dosed on zinc (200-300mg) and now I'm feeling awful. Pretty sure I stripped a bunch of copper out of my body.

Updating my copper intake (2-5mg per day) to try and balance out. Will report back with results.

Should have just bought the AOR Ortho-core multis and wouldn't have had to fuck with buying so many different vitamins.