Vit.C & Zinc Immunity Booster

Zinc and vitamin C support your immune system, reducing the risk of a number of diseases like heart disease and stroke. Taken together, vitamin C and Z give your body an immune-supportive boost.

We often discuss the advantage of vitamins and minerals individually. They each have powerful benefits for our bodies and mind and play a specific role within the body. However, as you may have noticed with the variety of supplements available, certain nutrients are often joined together into a single supplement. This is done for very specific reasons. 

Here, we look specifically at one popular combination, zinc and vitamin C, and discuss the benefits of each and how they work together in the body.

Vitamin C and zinc each benefit various systems in the body but they both support the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Taking these two nutrients together gives a joint boost to your immune system. Additionally, vitamin C contains ascorbic acid, which is thought to help with zinc absorption – though studies have not found conclusive results yet.

Yes, you can take vitamin C and zinc together as they are compatible nutrients that have a synergistic relationship. In fact, taking these two nutrients together can actually be better for your immune system – which is why supplements often include zinc and vitamin C together.

Every nutrient, be it a vitamin, mineral or other nutrient, has multiple uses in the body. A well-balanced and healthy diet, whether from food alone or with the help of supplements, will ensure you don't suffer from the effects of nutritional deficiencies, diseases or other health conditions. To better understand the benefits of vitamin C and zinc, let's look at them as individual nutrients.

As with all supplements, taking too much of some nutrients can cause issues. You should avoid vitamin C and zinc supplements if you are consuming foods high in these nutrients or are taking any other supplements that also include the daily dose of vitamin C and/or zinc in them.

You should also keep to the recommended dose of the supplements – as listed on the container. There is no need to take 'extra' doses, even if you think you need more of a nutrient. Only do this on the recommendation of your GP.

Taken in recommended quantities, you should not experience any negative side effects from taking vitamin C and zinc supplements. You could be taking too much if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Unusual/unpleasant taste in your mouth

Taking too much vitamin C is unlikely to have serious negative effects, though there is a risk of:

• Nausea 
• Diarrhea

Taking too much of a mineral, like zinc, can have more significant and dangerous side effects, such as:

• Increased urination
• Stomach bleeding
• Uneven heart rate
• Muscle weakness
• Tooth staining