I found zinc but I dont have any copper. I have been taking zinc for 2 days is it really important I stop until I get copper? Or is it not that immediate. Where can I find copper I couldnt find any in duane reade. I will look in gnc today.
All I can suggest is that you trial zinc as stated by Dr Shippen and continue to look for the copper supplement as stated.
Zinc alone in such doses cause a copper imbalance which is why I have detailed the requirement.
If you look in Holland and Barrett or some such online store I am sure you will find it.
This sounds like great news .. but I have a question.
The recommended daily amount (RDA) for an adult male in the UK is 15mg. Is it really safe to take up to a 100 mg supplement (over 6 times the RDA)? Plus of course what we take in from our normal diet.
The RDA limit differs from country to country and is known as being ultra conservative generally in any event.
With regard to this information;
I have stated the advice detailed by Dr Eugene Shippen who is one of the top hormone experts in the world. So the information is not mine, I am just the messenger. I am not the one vouching for its safety merely stating that an eminent source is vouching such.
Also he is not saying to take 100mgs of zinc on an ongoing basis. He is saying to initially take 100mgs and then step it down to 50mgs a day. That is advice for those with questionable androgen to estrogen ratios.
50mgs of zinc a day is HIGHLY unlikely to cause ill health as long as it is used with a copper supplement to prevent copper imbalance.
In terms of the zinc we get via our diet, enormous surveys have shown that the western diet is very often lacking in zinc so I do not think we need to concern ourselves with what we get via our diets.
This sounds like great news .. but I have a question.
I ask this because I have been taking a 15mg a day supplement, and have read on several websites that sell these supplements, that overdosing on zinc can cause:
Quote "Symptoms of overdose
Chest pain; dizziness; fainting; shortness of breath; vomiting; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some individuals. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional."
This quote is from http://www.drugs.com/cons/Zinc_Supplements.html.
It would be great if zinc can help us but I’m just wondering about how much we can safely take.
I think you are sensible to raise what you have found.
What I would say is that side effects are found with almost all substances, even water is toxic if taken in sufficient quantity and that taking 50ms of zinc is HIGHLY unlikely to cause the adverse effects listed. All I would add is too reiterate the need for copper supplementation to prevent a copper imbalance.
The only other infromation to state would be that which is standard with all medications and nutritional supplements and that is if you notice any of such labelled side effects that you halt its use.
I have seen quite a few forward thinking endocrinologists in the UK not only concur with the words of Dr Eugene Shippen, but also put their patients on the doses stated.
I regularly take this dose stated and I have had no ill effects whatsoever and have seen an improvement in my overall well-being and have noticed as quite a few people do, that I have a slight increase in testicular size (I could explain how this works if you wish?).
What you could do if you are overly concerned (which is perfectly reasonable) is start on a trial of 50mgs of zinc and stated copper supplementation for a month say and see how you feel.
If you notice any ill effects stop the dose in the knowledge that there will be no permanent ill health. If it works for you continue either indefinitely or until such time that again there is any ill effect. If there is again simply halt its use.
I would not be stating what I am if it wasn’t the advice of one eminent expert and advice followed by top endocrinologists in the UK.
Given we are talking about nutrition and not medication it is up to the individual to decide whether or not this is something they wish to trial.
Again I would NOT be stating what I am if this was a controlled medication.
If you do not wish to try zinc in the manner stated then I understand.
If anyone does however wish to trial zinc in the manner stated, if they could post their subjective findings that would be most helpful. Particularly as I am sure that the vast majority of people will have only positive or nuetral things to say.