Zinc Picolinate 50mg by NOW Foods
Zinc is a mineral your body needs every day, but cannot store in large quantities. This capsule from NOW Foods contains 50mg of zinc in the form of zinc picolinate: zinc bonded to picolinic acid. This is one of the better-known forms of zinc in supplements. It is a high dose per capsule, intended for those who consciously choose a substantial dose of zinc for a limited period.
What zinc picolinate actually is
Zinc is never found alone in supplements. It is always bonded to another substance, a so-called carrier. In zinc oxide, that is oxygen; in zinc citrate, it is citric acid; and in zinc picolinate, it is picolinic acid. Picolinic acid is a substance your body produces itself from the amino acid tryptophan. It has the property of being able to hold minerals firmly, a bit like a clip.
What zinc does in your body
Zinc is involved in hundreds of enzymes, proteins that initiate chemical reactions in your cells. That is why it is involved in many different bodily functions. Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Zinc also contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, hair, and nails. In addition: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. Furthermore, zinc contributes to normal cognitive function and to the protection of cells against oxidative damage. And zinc plays a role in the cell division process, which explains why it is needed in so many tissues.
50mg per capsule, here is how you should see it
The reference intake for zinc is 10mg per day. One capsule therefore provides 50mg, or 500% of that value. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sets an acceptable upper limit of 25mg of zinc per day from food and supplements combined for adults. This capsule is clearly above that. That is why NOW Foods states on the label that the product is not intended for long-term use. In practice, this means: you use this strength for a defined period, for example a few weeks, and not for years as a daily staple. If you are looking for a zinc supplement for daily, long-term use, a lower dosage is more suitable. Good to know: zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis and to the normal metabolism of macronutrients, so it is a mineral that is always working in the background.
In short: a zinc supplement with zinc picolinate and a high dose in a small plant-based capsule. With 60 pieces in the bottle, you have exactly enough for a defined period, without a bottle sitting around for months.