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Should I take vitamin C and zinc together?

Vitamin C and zinc each benefit various systems in the body but they both support the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Taking these two nutrients together gives a joint boost to your immune system.

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We often discuss vitamins and minerals individually as they each have powerful benefits for our bodies and mind and play a specific role within the body. However, as you may have noticed with the variety of supplements available, certain nutrients are often joined together into a single supplement. This is done for very specific reasons. Here, we look specifically at one popular combination, zinc and vitamin C, and discuss the benefits of each and how they work together in the body.

How Do Vitamin C And Zinc Work Together?

Vitamin C and zinc each benefit various systems in the body but they both support the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Taking these two nutrients together gives a joint boost to your immune system. Additionally, vitamin C contains ascorbic acid, which is thought to help with zinc absorption – though studies have not found conclusive results yet.

What Do Vitamin C And Zinc Do For The Body?

Every nutrient, be it a vitamin, mineral or other nutrient, has multiple uses in the body. A well-balanced diet, whether from food alone or with the help of supplements, will ensure you don't suffer from the effects of nutritional deficiencies, diseases or other health conditions. To better understand the benefits of vitamin C and zinc, let's look at them as individual nutrients.

Benefits Of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it prevents or slows damage to cells from free radicals, which are commonly found in cigarette smoke, pollution, alcohol and industrial chemicals. This makes vitamin C a key nutrient to protect our bodies from damage. Vitamin C is primarily found in white blood cells, the primary cells of the immune system, at elevated levels. Vitamin C is needed to create white blood cells in order to protect the body against infection. Vitamin C can't be stored in the body, which is why it is important to get a daily dose.

Benefits Of Zinc

Zinc is used to break down carbohydrates and proteins so they can be used in the body. This is important as carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body and protein is used to build and maintain muscles. Zinc is used to heal wounds, support cell growth and keep the immune system strong. Recently, studies have found zinc is important for preventing defects in the immune system, which can lead to skin disease and low antibody levels, which in turn allows for repeat infections.

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Zinc can't be stored in the body, so a daily intake is required to maintain its benefits.

Side Effects Of Vitamin C And Zinc Supplementation

As with all supplements, taking too much of some nutrients can cause issues. You should avoid vitamin C and zinc supplements if you are consuming foods high in these nutrients or are taking any other supplements that also include the daily dose of vitamin C and/or zinc in them. You should also keep to the recommended dose of the supplements – as listed on the container. There is no need to take 'extra' doses, even if you think you need more of a nutrient. Only do this on the recommendation of your GP. Taken in recommended quantities, you should not experience any negative side effects from taking vitamin C and zinc supplements. You could be taking too much if you experience any of the following side effects:

Upset stomach

Headaches

Unusual/unpleasant taste in your mouth

Taking too much vitamin C is unlikely to have serious negative effects, though there is a risk of:

Nausea

Diarrhea

Taking too much of a mineral, like zinc, can have more significant and dangerous side effects, such as:

Increased urination

Stomach bleeding

Uneven heart rate

Muscle weakness

Tooth staining

Recommended Vitamin C And Zinc Combined Supplements

If you are interested in taking vitamin C and zinc as a combined supplement, there are two that we would recommend:

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