Do you find it difficult to know which supplement to choose?
Today we will compare three different supplements with liquid zinc. Which one offers the best value for money and how does the taste differ between the various products?
What is zinc?
Zinc is a metallic element and an essential mineral found in all cells of the body. It is part of hundreds of enzymes in the body that influence the formation of body materials such as bones, teeth, cartilage, connective tissue, skin, hair, and nails. But zinc is also found in high concentrations in the eyes, brain, adrenal glands, reproductive organs, thyroid, liver, and kidneys. Zinc is important for digestion, vision, hearing, and taste, and is also needed for sperm production, immune function, and wound healing.Zinc is necessary for cell division, cell growth, cell repair, and is needed for insulin release. In recent years, researchers have found that zinc also has a restorative function during colds. We excrete extra zinc during infections, stress, and strenuous workouts. Since zinc is not stored in the body, we depend on a sufficient daily intake.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency
Zinc affects the entire body. Depression, reduced concentration ability, low sperm count, low testosterone levels, and impaired wound healing are other signs of zinc deficiency. The most common skin changes that occur with zinc deficiency include acne, eczema, skin cracks, boils, rosacea, and psoriasis. If your body doesn't have enough zinc, you might notice:
Weakened sense of smell and taste
Impaired wound healing and skin problems
Hair loss and brittle nails
Reduced night vision
Fatigue
Depression
Increased susceptibility to infection and diarrhea
Significant weight loss and muscle cramps
If you're curious about what zinc is and how it functions in the body, you can read more about it at Morotsliv.
Zinc Forms
Zinc supplements come in all imaginable forms. Tablets, powders, capsules, lozenges, liquid forms, and ointments. Zinc supplements are available in forms such as zinc histidine, zinc picolinate, zinc bisglycinate, zinc gluconate, and finally zinc sulfate, which should be taken on an empty stomach and is among the most common forms in supplements. The recommended dose should not be exceeded. Dietary supplements should not be used as an alternative to a varied diet.
Liquid zinc or zinc pills
By choosing liquid zinc as a supplement, you can avoid tablets and capsules.
Tablets need some form of binding agent to hold them together so they don't crumble. Capsules often consist of cellulose or gelatin, which is also unnecessary and something we may be more or less sensitive to. Additionally, both tablets and capsules can be difficult to swallow. With liquid zinc, you can avoid these problems.
Liquid zinc taste test
A taste test with zinc sulfate heptahydrate is a good way to evaluate zinc status, as taste buds are controlled by zinc-dependent enzymes. You assess the taste experience after holding 1/2 tablespoon of zinc sulfate diluted with a sip of water in your mouth for 10-15 seconds.
Strong, repulsive taste immediately after intake indicates that the person has good zinc levels and zinc reserves.
Moderate metallic taste means a moderate zinc deficiency.
Somewhat sweet or astringent taste indicates a fairly long-term or serious zinc deficiency.
If it tastes like water, it means severe and long-term zinc deficiency.
Test of three different liquid zinc preparations
I have familiarized myself with three different liquid zinc preparations available in Glimja's range. They are Alpha Plus, Mary Ruth's and Vimergy's zinc sulfate.
Alpha Plus Zinc Sulfate
Liquid Zinc from Alpha Plus is a liquid zinc supplement of zinc sulfate and a good budget option. Adult dosage: 5 ml provides 15 mg of zinc daily. Should be diluted with approximately 1/2 cup of water. Content per daily dose: 15 mg zinc. Ingredients: Water, zinc sulfate. Content per bottle: 250 ml, 50 doses. Manufacturer: Alpha Plus, Sweden. Price: 199 kr
Mary Ruth's Ionic Zinc
Mary Ruth's Ionic Zinc is a liquid zinc supplement in the form of zinc sulfate. Adult dosage: 3 ml (6 pumps of the pipette) per day with food – should be diluted with approximately 1/2 cup of water. This provides 11.25 mg of zinc daily. Dosage for children & young adults:
Young adults (11-17): 3 ml per day. Children (4-10 years): 3 ml per day. Children (2-3 years): 0.8 ml (1 pump) which provides 3 mg of zinc per day. Content per daily dose (3 ml): 11.25 mg zinc (as zinc sulfate). Ingredients: Zinc sulfate, organic glycerin (from mustard seeds) and purified water. Content per bottle: 120 ml, approximately 40 doses. Manufacturer: Mary Ruth's, USA. Price: 269 kr
Vimergy Zinc
Vimergy's Zinc is a liquid zinc supplement of zinc sulfate. Adult dosage: 2 pipettes = 2 ml. This dose can be taken 1-2 times per day. Content per daily dose: 2 pipettes 2 times a day provides 15 mg of zinc. Ingredients: Zinc sulfate, organic vegetable glycerin (from flaxseed base), purified water, organic apple juice. Content per bottle: 100 ml, 25-50 daily doses. Manufacturer: Vimergy, USA. Price: 389 kr
Evaluation
What these three have in common is that they contain zinc sulfate, which is the form that is best absorbed on an empty stomach with a little water. They are also free from citric acid, alcohol, corn, and harmful ingredients.
Taste
If you want to test your zinc status, Alpha Plus zinc sulfate is a good option for doing the taste test, as it contains nothing but zinc sulfate and water. The taste therefore depends on your own zinc status. Mary Ruth's contains glycerin, which gives a sweeter taste and is therefore suitable if you're sensitive to taste. Vimergy has the best taste thanks to the apple juice and is therefore likely to be the most appealing to many in terms of taste.
Price
Alpha Plus Zinc Sulfate has the lowest price at 199kr. An excellent budget alternative to Vimergy's Zinc Sulfate. Mary Ruth's Zinc Sulfate is priced at 269kr, between the other two in price range. Vimergy instead offers a premium option at 389kr with the best taste.
My Favorite & Recommendation
My winner is Liquid Zinc from Swedish Alpha Plus.
The reason is that I can test my zinc status with the taste test when needed as the product contains nothing but zinc. This allows me to lower my dosage if I notice my need is lower and increase it again when the situation changes. Since the product comes in a larger bottle and is manufactured in Sweden, it also has less environmental impact and creates less waste.
But if the most important thing for you is getting your zinc and you're sensitive to tastes, then Mary Ruth's zinc sulfate could be a good alternative. It's a bit cheaper than Vimergy and has a better taste than Alpha Plus.
Or Vimergy's zinc sulfate which clearly has the best taste.
