Hi Courtney, thank you for posting about zinc. I have been learning a lot about zinc, as I realized that I am not going to understand health, nutrition, and the brain, without understanding it. I began to learn about the zinc T transporters, the ZIP transporters, the zinc shank proteins, metallothioneins, GPR39 receptors as well as zincs roles in the NMDA and AMPA receptors. Along the way, I am realizing that zinc and/or copper can also be toxic in people with various neurodegenerative disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Zinc acts on residues of Histidine, Aspartate, Cysteine, Serine, Asparagine, Threonine, as well as other amino acid residues. Histidine came up frequently so I branched off in learning about histidine, carnosine, beta alanine, and histamine, and this is where I have found numerous answers. Carnosine in particular, synthesized by astrocytes, has an enormity of beneficial effects as an anti oxidant, reduction of AGEs, APEs, helps to prevent cross linking of proteins(AD), detoxifies cadmium, mercury, lead, and plays a very significant role in zinc, copper, and manganese homeostasis, which is incredibly important. In it's role in acting as a reservoir for histidine and its conversion to histamine, I think it is potentially important in understanding histamine homeostasis.I am happy to share the research files I am referencing it you are interested. I am delighted that you are talking in depth about zinc, the immune system, and zinc's pathways. Thank you.
Thank you, Craig, for sharing what your learning beyond zinc.. It certainly sounds like you are delving deeper than I tend to share. Yes. I am interested. Please feel free to share your research files. My office email is ms@courtneysnydermd.com Thank you again for commenting.
Most labs can do this one fine., however, DHALab which is online will give an order to take to LabCorp and when DHA shares the results, they give the WalshPheiffer Optimal range. If someone is on zinc we recommend that it be done12-24 hours after the last dose. Ideally it's a plasma zinc.
Could absorption be an issue? Would liposomal form of Zinc be useful? My child was diagnosed with problems of Zinc metabolism. We give him 5mg of OTC syrup of Zinc in an elderberry formulation. Not sure if that is effective and adequate?
Absorption can be an issue. I don't have experience with liposomal zinc, but rather use zinc picolinate as it is the best absorbed. Because of zinc's impacts on the GI tract, it does tend to improve absorption.
It can be difficult to get accurate zinc levels. They are often falsely elevated. This sample report from DHA lab shares the optimal ranges: www.dhalab.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Metabolic-Panel-Sample-Report.pdf
I have a bizarre issue where supplemental zinc seems to cause aggressiveness (for lack of a better word) and temper issues. I am normally very peaceful and always have great self control and struggle with OCD and anxiety but one dose of zinc and within 1-3 days I’ll fly off the handle and do something completely out of character like get in a shouting match at work. I take zinc very rarely just for its obvious immune boosting effects but almost always regret it. I’ve never heard a good explanation for why it might have this effect on me. My levels were recently tested and yielded 61 uh/dl so my guess is that’s on the low side.
Thank you for sharing your experience. If copper is high, too much zinc too soon could mobilize copper and cause worsening of copper-type symptoms, one of which is temper issues. It is also a strong antioxidant that is important in heavy metal detoxification, which again worsens symptoms if it starts too high or worked up too quickly. I can't say either is the case for you, but what I think about when someone has reactions.
Zinc has done wonders for my depression and anhedonia but I accidentally crashed my copper levels with zinc supplements. I now eat cashews to get my copper up. That seems to keep everything at healthy levels. So I'm doing good now.
Hello. Hair analysis is good for some things, but I don't find it useful for zinc. Spectrcell could be helpful, but I would still use a plasma zinc level.
Hi. I don't use hair to measure zinc but use plasma zinc instead. When I start someone on zinc, I start very low and go up slowly. It is a strong antioxidant and can decrease copper. If copper and high and mobilized too quickly, then it can aggravate symptoms. I don't know why your ankles would hurt specifically. Typically zinc helps joint symptoms, which is why I wonder if something is being mobilized and triggering inflammation. Rarely, if someone has mast cell activation, something in the supplements besides the nutrient itself is triggering the immune system. Trying a different form helps identify this problem. I hope something here may be useful.
Too much zinc can crash your copper among other things. Eating certain nuts a like cashews will keep your copper levels up. Though don't take zinc and nuts at the same time as they compete with each other for absorption. I would suggest getting zinc from food. If you take supplements start small and slowly increase doses. Watch how you feel closely.
@@katetroxell1999 Hi. I should have added that it depends on where someone's copper level is, their age, weight, and how well they seem to absorb nutrients. Separately, I'm unable to give recommendations on dosing and treatment here.
Hi Courtney, thank you for posting about zinc. I have been learning a lot about zinc, as I realized that I am not going to understand health, nutrition, and the brain, without understanding it. I began to learn about the zinc T transporters, the ZIP transporters, the zinc shank proteins, metallothioneins, GPR39 receptors as well as zincs roles in the NMDA and AMPA receptors. Along the way, I am realizing that zinc and/or copper can also be toxic in people with various neurodegenerative disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Zinc acts on residues of Histidine, Aspartate, Cysteine, Serine, Asparagine, Threonine, as well as other amino acid residues. Histidine came up frequently so I branched off in learning about histidine, carnosine, beta alanine, and histamine, and this is where I have found numerous answers. Carnosine in particular, synthesized by astrocytes, has an enormity of beneficial effects as an anti oxidant, reduction of AGEs, APEs, helps to prevent cross linking of proteins(AD), detoxifies cadmium, mercury, lead, and plays a very significant role in zinc, copper, and manganese homeostasis, which is incredibly important. In it's role in acting as a reservoir for histidine and its conversion to histamine, I think it is potentially important in understanding histamine homeostasis.I am happy to share the research files I am referencing it you are interested. I am delighted that you are talking in depth about zinc, the immune system, and zinc's pathways. Thank you.
Thank you, Craig, for sharing what your learning beyond zinc.. It certainly sounds like you are delving deeper than I tend to share. Yes. I am interested. Please feel free to share your research files. My office email is ms@courtneysnydermd.com Thank you again for commenting.
This was very helpful! I appreciate that you are speaking slowly😊
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this information. Do you recommend a specific laboratory for testing?
Most labs can do this one fine., however, DHALab which is online will give an order to take to LabCorp and when DHA shares the results, they give the WalshPheiffer Optimal range. If someone is on zinc we recommend that it be done12-24 hours after the last dose. Ideally it's a plasma zinc.
Thanks for your wonderful channel. I would love to be able to have you treat me if I end up figuring out the financial aspect.
Thank you for commenting. I'm glad you're enjoying this channel.
AMAZING
Could absorption be an issue? Would liposomal form of Zinc be useful? My child was diagnosed with problems of Zinc metabolism. We give him 5mg of OTC syrup of Zinc in an elderberry formulation. Not sure if that is effective and adequate?
Absorption can be an issue. I don't have experience with liposomal zinc, but rather use zinc picolinate as it is the best absorbed. Because of zinc's impacts on the GI tract, it does tend to improve absorption.
Would be interesting to hear your take on ayurveda and ayurgenomics and connect that to the Walsh research institute.
Thank you for this. I'm not well enough informed on ayurveda and ayurgenomics to comment fully. Please do share if you have thoughts on this.
What do you consider optimal zinc levels to be? Copper, too?
It can be difficult to get accurate zinc levels. They are often falsely elevated. This sample report from DHA lab shares the optimal ranges: www.dhalab.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Metabolic-Panel-Sample-Report.pdf
I have a bizarre issue where supplemental zinc seems to cause aggressiveness (for lack of a better word) and temper issues. I am normally very peaceful and always have great self control and struggle with OCD and anxiety but one dose of zinc and within 1-3 days I’ll fly off the handle and do something completely out of character like get in a shouting match at work.
I take zinc very rarely just for its obvious immune boosting effects but almost always regret it. I’ve never heard a good explanation for why it might have this effect on me.
My levels were recently tested and yielded 61 uh/dl so my guess is that’s on the low side.
Thank you for sharing your experience. If copper is high, too much zinc too soon could mobilize copper and cause worsening of copper-type symptoms, one of which is temper issues. It is also a strong antioxidant that is important in heavy metal detoxification, which again worsens symptoms if it starts too high or worked up too quickly. I can't say either is the case for you, but what I think about when someone has reactions.
Zinc has done wonders for my depression and anhedonia but I accidentally crashed my copper levels with zinc supplements. I now eat cashews to get my copper up. That seems to keep everything at healthy levels. So I'm doing good now.
Thank you for sharing that...and emphasizing the copper depletion issue. Glad you have had so much benefit.
What were your symptoms of low copper
Thank you Dr. Snyder. What are your thoughts about hair mineral analysis? Also the Espectracel micronutrients test?
Hello. Hair analysis is good for some things, but I don't find it useful for zinc. Spectrcell could be helpful, but I would still use a plasma zinc level.
@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 Thank you so much for your kind response, Dr. Snyder!
@@edyt.8761 You're welcome.
I have a zinc deficiency in my hair analysis but when I supplement, after a few days my ankle joint hurts, I don't know what's going on...
Hi. I don't use hair to measure zinc but use plasma zinc instead. When I start someone on zinc, I start very low and go up slowly. It is a strong antioxidant and can decrease copper. If copper and high and mobilized too quickly, then it can aggravate symptoms. I don't know why your ankles would hurt specifically. Typically zinc helps joint symptoms, which is why I wonder if something is being mobilized and triggering inflammation. Rarely, if someone has mast cell activation, something in the supplements besides the nutrient itself is triggering the immune system. Trying a different form helps identify this problem. I hope something here may be useful.
@courtneysnydermd-holisticp3072 Thank you for your help. Is there any way I can contact you for a consultation?
Is there a maximum amount of zinc a person could take safely?
Hi. It really depends on what someone's zinc level is to start with.
If it’s very low..
Too much zinc can crash your copper among other things. Eating certain nuts a like cashews will keep your copper levels up. Though don't take zinc and nuts at the same time as they compete with each other for absorption. I would suggest getting zinc from food. If you take supplements start small and slowly increase doses. Watch how you feel closely.
@@katetroxell1999 Hi. I should have added that it depends on where someone's copper level is, their age, weight, and how well they seem to absorb nutrients. Separately, I'm unable to give recommendations on dosing and treatment here.