Zinc Gluconate Continues to Surprise

[drnase]

Zinc gluconate continues to surprise:

1. Anti-inflammatory actions (30 to 50 mgs per day)

2. Anti-acne actions comparable to minocycline

3. Kills bacteria (did not know this) -- e.g. bacteriostatic

4. Helps reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics


Eur J Dermatol. 2005 May-Jun;15(3):152-5. Related Articles, Links


Effect of zinc gluconate on propionibacterium acnes resistance to erythromycin in patients with inflammatory acne: in vitro and in vivo study.

Dreno B, Foulc P, Reynaud A, Moyse D, Habert H, Richet H.

Department of Dermatology, CHU Nantes, 44035 Nantes cedex 01, France. brigitte.dreno@wanadoo.fr

Tetracyclines and macrolide antibiotics have been in use for acne treatment for more than 20 years. Since 1992 increasing resistance to these antibiotics, and especially to erythromycin, is reported with Propionibacterium acnes. Zinc salts have demonstrated their efficacy in inflammatory acne treatment as well as their bacteriostatic activity against Propionibacterium acnes. The objective of our work was firstly to determine whether the clinical anti-inflammatory efficacy of zinc salts was altered in the presence of erythromycin resistant strains in vivo, and secondly to study the in vitro and in vivo effect of zinc on the sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes strains to erythromycin. Thirty patients with inflammatory acne were treated by zinc gluconate with a daily dose of 30 mg for two months and bacteriologic samples were taken at D0, D30 and D60. In vivo, this study displayed a reduction in the number of inflammatory lesions after a 2-month treatment whether or not Propionibacterium acnes carriage was present. Concurrently, in vitro addition of zinc salts in the culture media of Propionibacterium acnes reduced resistance of Propionibacterium acnes strains to erythromycin. Thus, association of zinc salts via a systemic route and topical erythromycin treatment seems an interesting option in the light of an increasing number of patients carrying erythromycin resistant Propionibacterium acnes strains.

[don]

Zinc also has been cited in medical journals for treating and curing common warts. Zinc has high anti-viral activity.

DHEA is also anti-viral and has journal reports of action against west nile virus.

[mikey]

So should we add this to our list of supplements?
I tend to get a few pimples on my back, maybe zinc gloconate will clear them up...

[drnase]

So should we add this to our list of supplements?
I tend to get a few pimples on my back, maybe zinc gloconate will clear them up...

I do add zinc gluconate, but it comes in a package deal so I dont have to take as many supplements. Just dont go over the recommended daily allowance by too much. There are also one or two substances that inhibit zinc uptake, but I will have to look them up to refresh my memory.

Zinc is just like echinacea -- good for you in moderate doses for certain time periods, but should not be one of those mega overdose star nutraceuticals.

[fanta]

Mermaid did a bit of studies in September

Hi all,

Just a couple of other points if you are taking Zinc Gluconate. When Zinc Gluconate combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and hence you will lose any potential benefits. If you are taking Zinc Gluconate, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take Zinc Gluconate:

Bran
Fiber-containing foods
Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry
Whole-grain breads and cereals

Also do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement.

And finally for those using any of the Tetracyclines, use with Zinc Gluconate supplements may cause these Tetracyclines to be less effective. Zinc supplements should be given at least 2 hours after Tetracyclines, much as you would with copper supplements.

Mermaid

[drnase]

Mermaid did a bit of studies in September

Hi all,

Just a couple of other points if you are taking Zinc Gluconate. When Zinc Gluconate combines with certain foods it may not be absorbed into your body and hence you will lose any potential benefits. If you are taking Zinc Gluconate, the following foods should be avoided or taken 2 hours after you take Zinc Gluconate:

Bran
Fiber-containing foods
Phosphorus-containing foods such as milk or poultry
Whole-grain breads and cereals

Also do not take zinc supplements and copper, iron, or phosphorus supplements at the same time. It is best to space doses of these products 2 hours apart, to get the full benefit from each dietary supplement.

And finally for those using any of the Tetracyclines, use with Zinc Gluconate supplements may cause these Tetracyclines to be less effective. Zinc supplements should be given at least 2 hours after Tetracyclines, much as you would with copper supplements.

Mermaid

Thats the ticket.

[YankeesRtheBest]

1.) How long can I be on Zinc gluconate for then? And what amount of time is safe?

2.) I'm using 50 mg chelated zinc which also says zinc gluconate on bottle from vitamin world. Is this one ok?

3.)If I can't take it w/dairy products, meat, whole grain, then what can I take it with? Cause I have to take it with a good amount of food.
One time I took it w/o much food and threw up. Sometimes I still get nautious from it even w/food.

Thanks. -Chris

[irishgenes]

Maybe the 50 mg is too much for you at a time. You could get a pill splitter and cut it in two, then take 1/2 AM and half PM.

[Bradley]

One time I took it w/o much food and threw up. Sometimes I still get nautious from it even w/food.

Taking 50mg in one dose can be too much for some people and even if it isn't it really isn't a good idea to take all that amount in one go. You will place a lot of stress on your body especially the liver to process all that amount.

Just take 15-20mg in the morning and 15-20mg in the evening with food.

[YankeesRtheBest]

Thanks, I'll def try the half a pill thing. But do any of you guys know what I should take it with. Becuase I'm always eating breads, cereals, dairy, etc. I don't wnat it to lesson the effect of the zinc. Also, how long can I be on zinc in general, years? Or is that not safe? And is it ok to take with doxycycline and probiotics or will it cancel out zinc too? Thanks.