Depletes Zinc. This medication is commonly used for Contraception
Studies suggest that oral contraceptives (OCs) may contribute to zinc deficiency. Research has shown a significant decrease in serum zinc levels, the zinc circulating in the blood, in women taking OCs. This decrease is thought to be due to potential changes in how the body absorbs, excretes, or utilizes zinc within tissues. Due to its vital role in many bodily functions, ensuring sufficient zinc intake through supplementation should be considered for women on birth control pills.
Fallah S, Sani FV, Firoozrai M. Effect of contraceptive pill on the selenium and zinc status of healthy subjects. Contraception. 2009 Jul;80(1):40-3. Fernanda Kamp, et al. Effect of oral contraceptive use and zinc supplementation on zinc, iron and copper biochemical indices in young women. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. October 24, 2011. Shikh EV, Makhova AA, Chemeris AV, Tormyshov IA. [Iatrogenic deficits of micronutrients]. Vopr Pitan. 2021;90(4):53-63. Russian. Dorea JG, Ferraz E, Queiroz EF. Efeitos de esteroides anovulatórios sobre níveis séricos de zinco e cobre [Effects of anovulatory steroids on serum levels of zinc and copper]. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 1982 Mar;32(1):101-10. Portuguese. PMID: 7181622.
Zinc Bisglycinate — 12.5 mg
Low zinc status has been linked to a higher risk and faster progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in part because zinc is concentrated in the retina and supports antioxidant defenses there. In the landmark AREDS trial, a supplement formula containing zinc (80 mg as zinc oxide), along with antioxidants, reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25% in people with intermediate disease or advanced disease in one eye over roughly 5 years. Other research has shown that inadequate zinc intake is more common in older adults with AMD, reinforcing the idea that maintaining healthy zinc levels may be an important, and often overlooked, strategy for preserving macular health with age.
Zinc deficiency has been associated with a range of neurological and behavioral changes, including increased irritability, poor attention, and slowed cognitive processing. In children, low zinc status has been linked to poorer performance on tests of attention, memory, and school achievement, and some trials have found that zinc supplementation can modestly improve certain cognitive scores, especially in previously deficient populations. Clinically, even mild zinc deficiency may present with subtle symptoms such as mood changes, reduced stress tolerance, and “brain fog,” which can easily be overlooked but may improve when zinc status is corrected.
Zinc Bisglycinate by Pure Encapsulations — 15 mg