Can zinc bisglycinate be taken together with other vitamins and minerals?

The advantage of zinc bisglycinate in capsules with no other active ingredients is that it is easy to combine with other supplements — you control what you take and in what amounts.

At the same time, zinc has well-known interactions with other minerals:

• Zinc and iron compete for the same transport mechanisms in the intestine. If you take iron preparations, it is best to space them out from zinc — for example, by several hours.
• Zinc and copper are also interrelated: high doses of zinc taken over a long period can affect the absorption of copper. This is relevant primarily when the recommended dosages are exceeded or with very long courses.
• Calcium in high doses may theoretically reduce zinc absorption when taken at the same time, although at standard dosages this effect is usually insignificant.

If you already take a multivitamin complex, check whether it contains zinc — the total amount of the mineral from all sources should not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (25 mg a day for adults, according to EFSA); one capsule of this supplement already provides 15 mg of zinc, that is, 150% of the daily reference intake. This is particularly important because an excess of zinc is just as undesirable as a deficiency.

If you have a chronic condition, take medicines or are unsure how to put together your supplement routine, consult a doctor or pharmacist.