This is from a page that explains why a certain company made a certain supplement that has both ZMA and calcium in it:
"First of all you can mix calcium with ZMA contrary to what so called “experts” might say.
I’ll explain why. ZMA is a simple mix of Zinc Monomthionine, Magnesium Aspartate, and Vitamin B6.
Both Zinc Monomethionine and Magnesium Aspartate are amino acid chelated. Chelation is a chemical process in which amino acids are reacted with minerals to form chelates. A better way to describe them would be mineral peptides. They have a very small molecular weight (less than 800 Daltons) and are treated by the body, or the digestive system , as small peptides. Much like a di-peptide. They pass straight through the intestine wall.
Herein lies the tremendous failing and misunderstanding of the calcium/ZMA rigmarole. It is true that Zinc/Calcium/Magnesium salts will compete for absorption in the intestine. BUT only salts, i.e. Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Citrate etc. When we look at say Zinc Monomethionine for example it compromises 20% Zinc and 80% L-monomethionine. You can now see the science behind chelated minerals and why they are so effective.
Unfortunately people will often just pick up a book and read that Zinc should not be taken with Calcium. Even the marketers of ZMA still do not fully understand how it is absorbed, which is downright negligence."
So, can I start eating like 120-90 minutes before I go to bed like I used to? Or are they making this up so people don’t pass on their product?
'cuz, eating 2+ hours before bed sucks…and eating right before bed sucks even worse, for me personally.
For those interested in feeding their body protein (Grow) prior to bed, the suggested timing is 60 minutes prior. This puts the ZMA absorbtion window prior to ingesting the calcium, while still being adequately close to bedtime.
Bottom line: Take your ZMA and any calcium separately.
Real bottom line: this is a bunch of bull companies say to sell their products.
This is just wrong thinking. The minerals can be chelated with the amino acids…while still in the pill.
Once the pill is in your body, it’s a messy free-for-all; any mineral will bind to any amino acid, or any other molecule, according to the affinity of each molecule for each mineral. Some molecules might chelate (bind tightly to) certain molecules, but this isn’t the case here. Your intestine has several mechanisms (active and facillitated diffusion of free ions, and proteins such as ferretin that specifically bind iron for transport into the body) to uptake minerals, and this isn’t applicable to any of them.
I’m having trouble finding good journal articles (rather than advertisements) on this subject, or I’d post citations here. Sorry, you’ll have to take my word on this for now.
[quote]old_dogg wrote:
For those interested in feeding their body protein (Grow!) prior to bed, the suggested timing is 60 minutes prior. This puts the ZMA absorbtion window prior to ingesting the calcium, while still being adequately close to bedtime.[/quote]
Yeah, well those only get partially digested and probably reduces GH production.
[quote]Adi Foyle wrote:
old_dogg wrote:
For those interested in feeding their body protein (Grow!) prior to bed, the suggested timing is 60 minutes prior. This puts the ZMA absorbtion window prior to ingesting the calcium, while still being adequately close to bedtime.
Yeah, well those only get partially digested and probably reduces GH production.
[/quote]
You’re overanlyzing this.
Just take ZMA 30 to 60 minutes or more before your evening protein consumption.
It’s not that complicated.
Sure Chris, taking it like that would be great…I don’t know, I called the company I got my ZMA from, they said I want to use the before-bed window when T and GH peak.