Is It OK To Take Vitamin C and Zinc Together?

We are all aware that to keep you feeling your best there are a few everyday habits that you should take up. This can be a variety of things, from drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating a balanced diet. Even if you manage to stick to these habits, sometimes, those aren’t enough. Each day we encounter various aggressors that can affect our health, from processed food containing too much salt, to coming down with a cold.

This is exactly why so many of us have reached for daily supplements to help give our bodies some added support and protection. The slight snag is just how many different vitamins and minerals there are out there. Do you need them all? Do they all work? Which ones should I avoid taking together? Don’t panic, as today we will be exploring more about whether it’s ok to take vitamin C and Zinc together? So, let’s dive right in and find out more.

Can you take zinc and vitamin C together?

Yes, you absolutely can! When using supplements, it is a good idea to remain mindful that some should be avoided, whilst others, like vitamin C and zinc are perfectly compatible. This is because both do not work against each other.

What does zinc do for the body?

Zinc helps support your immune system which ensures wounds to heal quickly and enable your metabolism to function correctly. You will find that zinc supplements come in various products, from nasal sprays to everyday capsules. Finding the best one for you boils down to which way would fit into your daily routine effectively. Many find that including a zinc supplement during the colder months ensures they can ward any signs of sniffles and colds.

What does vitamin C do for the body?

Vitamin C is another supplement that helps support the immune system whilst helping to boost the production of collagen. This vitamin is highly effective at benefiting the body as well as the skin due to the fact it is packed with antioxidants ensuring the skin can combat free radical damage.

As for the body benefits you will receive, vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron more rapidly and generally doesn’t interfere with other vitamins which is why you’ll often find vitamin C and zinc are combined in one supplement capsule.

When is the best time to take vitamin C and zinc?

There is no set rule about the best time to take vitamin C and zinc. However much like other supplements it is often thought taking them on an empty stomach will give you the optimal results. If you have your zinc and vitamin C in separate capsules it is thought taking both in the morning will give you best results. For vitamin C ideally you should take it 30-40 minutes before a meal, as for zinc it should be 1-2 hours before a meal. Having said that, if you have a supplement containing both vitamins then take the capsule as instructed by your doctor and ensure you follow the dosage suggestion on the packaging.

What vitamins should not be taken with zinc?

There are not really any vitamins that shouldn’t be taken with zinc, but it is considered best to not take zinc, copper, iron, and phosphorus all together. Instead, it’s best to leave a wait time of 2 hours in between each supplement to reap the rewards. Alternatively, you can also take each vitamin on different days, this will ensure you benefit from each vitamin, whilst avoiding any unwanted reactions. Don’t forget if you ever have any concerns when taking vitamins and supplements consult with your doctor or medical professional.

It too much zinc and vitamin C bad for you?

Yes, taking too much zinc and vitamin C can lead to an array of problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Therefore, it is important to ensure you take the correct daily dosage as taking more than suggested will not give you any real advantage. To truly reap the rewards, take the correct dosage of vitamins at the optimal time day, first thing in the morning before or with a meal.

Is it OK to take zinc every day?

Yes, it is OK to take zinc every day, however if you are managing to maintain a healthy, balanced diet you will find you are receiving your daily dose of zinc. This is something that admittedly very few of us are able to achieve, if you find your diet is lacking in varied fruit and vegetable which you are unable to change or you are wanting to ensure you have the right levels of nutrients, then taking a daily zinc supplement is perfectly safe. Anything less than 25mg of zinc is safe, anything higher you should consult with your doctor.

What is better zinc or vitamin C?

Both zinc and vitamin C play an important role in keeping your health and well-being functioning to the best of its abilities. Both vitamins can provide a variety of benefits, from helping your immunity, protecting your eye health, and healing surface wounds to the skin.

Thinking about which is better, this can be very much dependant on which areas of concern you are wanting to treat. For example, if you are wanting to combat colds and flu, zinc is known for delivering the quickest results at reducing how long your symptoms last. Taking a daily vitamin C supplement, the whole year round will ensure you are able to ward off colds more effectively.

As I have already mentioned, it is perfectly safe to take vitamin C and zinc together so there’s nothing stopping you from benefitting from a combined capsule of both powerhouse vitamins.

When should I take zinc morning or evening?

There is no real rule in taking zinc, ideally you will want to take your zinc supplement 1 to 2 hours after your meals as this will help your body absorb them more effectively and will also avoid any gastrointestinal upset that can occur if zinc is taken on an empty stomach.

So, there you have a few of your questions answered about vitamin C and zinc. Don’t forget if you have any more questions, you can come and find us on Instagram.