Zinc

[Guest guest]

, Several months ago I researched which form of zinc was best. I turned up

the following which I saved but I failed to save the link and have been unable

to find the site again so I am just copying it here.

" A group of researchers led by Dr. W. at the USDA Human Nutrition

Laboratory in Grand Forks, N.D., has been investigating Picolinic acid. Dr.

has found that Picolinic acid is produced from the amino acid tryptoph an

in the liver and kidneys, and is transported to the pancreas. During digestion.

Picolinic acid is secreted from the pancreas into the intestine. Dr. has

also determined that human milk contains fairly large amounts of Picolinic acid,

whereas cow milk has little.

Mineral uptake by tissues is far greater when the mineral is a Picolinate,

rather than the other forms. Since our bodies utilize Picolinic acid to absorb

and transport certain minerals, and our cells recognize mineral picolinates and

readily use them, it makes sense to design mineral supplements based on this

knowledge.

There is evidence that zinc may be a component of other hormones in addition to

insulin, and that it is involved in cell membrane health. Surgeons have

recognized the importance of zinc in wound healing - and studies show that zinc

reduces infections as well. But research nutritionists have been perplexed by

zinc's behavior. Persons eating adequate amounts of zinc do not always absorb

adequate amounts of zinc.

Dr. ' group demonstrated that adding Picolinic acid to standard diets

increased the amount of zinc actually absorbed. Dr. found that adding five

milligrams of zinc Picolinate to the diet alleviated acrodermatitis

enteropathica symptoms, whereas 60 milligrams per day of zinc sulfate did not.

The research has also shown that the preferred way to increase zinc absorption

is not to add picolinic acid to the diet, but to take zinc picolinate

supplements. "

Convinced me to go with zinc picolinate.