On Board with ZMA?

[Jay Ashman]

calcium and zinc kind of cancel each other out with absorption...

plus 10 bucks really isn't that much money for a month of something that works to get the basic needs down and really does help with the deep sleep.

[Steven Low]

Originally Posted by Jay Ashman

calcium and zinc kind of cancel each other out with absorption...

plus 10 bucks really isn't that much money for a month of something that works to get the basic needs down and really does help with the deep sleep.

They don't cancel each other out... they competitively inhibit.

e.g. the same transporters that move both of them into the body are probably both 2+ ion transporters.

Cheaper is much more worth it even if you have to take 1 extra tab/pill to cancel out the competitive inhibition.


edit: yep,
Calcium competes with magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese for intestinal absorption (Somer, 1995).

2+ ion transporters.

Taking one is not going to block the other except for 'some'. And it's probably not significant if you spread out the pill taking at different meals.

[Donald Lee]

You can take zinc and magnesium separately, instead of in one pill with calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

[Steven Low]

Originally Posted by Donald Lee

You can take zinc and magnesium separately, instead of in one pill with calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

True.

Well, I am speaking of convenience. I don't like swallowing lots of stuff so...

[Jay Ashman]

Steven, I appreciate the clarification of that, that's kind of what I meant, albiet in very simple terms

I'll stick to the ZMA, I have no issues with spending 10 bucks a month for something that works, if I have to worry about a few dollars for spending, then I will cut out a few cups of coffee a month.

[liz neufeldt]

I go with a cal-mag-zinc supplement. This gets all three components for me, and I make sure the supplement also includes vitamin D to help with absorption. Many people are deficient in vitamin D without realizing it anyway. I also find it helpful to go with a liquid cal-mag-zinc supplement, as this also helps with quick absorption. And the magnesium will definitely give you very vivid and lucid dreams, and it keeps many people awake, so I tend to take it earlier in the day (always with food since zinc shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach).