Zinc Reduces Ammonia

[haidut]

Several human studies and some animals ones. Keep in mind that most of the human patients had severe liver disease and as such their ammonia levels were quite high (some people were in coma). As such, the high doses of zinc used in those studies (150mg-200mg elemental zinc per day) are probably only needed in such extreme cases. Amazingly, zinc was able to reverse encephalopathy caused by high ammonia levels in quite a few patients.
For most people without such severe liver conditions, much lower doses of zinc should be able to reduce ammonia. I'd venture a guess that 50mg of elemental zinc is probably enough but feel free to experiment to find out what works best for you.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25280421
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20822500
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8621138
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1505922
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2626852
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3218283
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6147551
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/546221

 

[lexis]

Whats Ray's opinion on Zinc supplementation? I think he considers it to be a pro oxidant

 

[Agent207]

post 104159 Whats Ray's opinion on Zinc supplementation? I think he considers it to be a pro oxidant

At what doses is that? I guess its fine while balanced with copper. Around 15-30mg/day seems OK when oysters isnt available.

 

[golder]

Which form do people advocate? Sulphate? Gluconate?

 

[cjm]

Which form do people advocate? Sulphate? Gluconate?

I'm using zinc gluconate (as in "Cold-Eeze") for ammonia symptoms. Cold-Eeze is pretty appealing because of the large absence of excipients.

Cold Eeze Zinc Lozenge, Cherry - 18 ct

Zincum Gluconicum 2x.

Inactive ingredients: corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.​

They taste fine, or at least they don't taste nasty -- your taste may vary -- and 3 of them will bring you close to the 50mg mentioned by haidut

[EDIT: it seems to be a homeopathic formulation but still claims 13.3mg of zinc per lozenge]

They definitely work. No untoward effects.

I used to take Zinc Balance by Jarrow, which takes care of the copper antagonism of zinc, but it has these nasties in it: "Cellulose and magnesium stearate (vegetable source). Capsule consists of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose."