I’ve been taking ZMA quite regularly now for quite some time (maybe a couple years). I also take a multivitamin which contains 100% of the USRDA for zinc, but I find that, at the very least, the addition of ZMA makes me sleep much better, which makes it will worth it, in my opinion. However, I’ve heard that consuming excess zinc can block the body’s absorbtion of copper. (My multi also contains 2 mg of copper, which is 100% of the USRDA). I have therefore started supplementing with an ADDITIONAL 2 mg of copper in order to offset the addition of ZMA to my diet. Does this make sense? Thanks in advance. (P.S., One of the reasons for my doing this is that I recently read somewhere that being low on copper can lead to greying of the hair, perhaps prematurely – I’m 28 and have been getting some grey hairs for the past couple years now – not a lot yet, but enough to start worrying me, hence my addition of extra copper to go with the ZMA. Has anyone else heard about this connection? Thanks again).
I don’t know much about copper and grey hair. However, copper is vital for connective tissue as well. Chances are the copper in the multi you are using is not getting absorbed very well. Calcium, copper and zinc/magnesium don’t get along when it comes to absorption, which is why Victor Conte at Balco Labs (who created ZMA) recommend separate supplementation at different times of the day. Take the multi in the morning, copper (2mg) about mid-day, and ZMA at night. SNAC Systems (Balco) makes a good copper supplement which is very cheap.
When will people get it,
you can take calcium and zinc together.
The inhibition of zinc absorbtion is only done by LARGE doses of calcium in the PRESENCE of phytates.