difference between zinc sulphate and zinc?

skyrocket

Does anyone know? Ted?
We were told if we gave my son 15mg zinc sulphate with his omega 3 oils it boosts the effects. Apparently it does with Ritalin and can even be used instead of Ritalin.
But it's not that easy to get hold of!
Sky

frostyspice

You can't just eat zinc. It's a metal. But the body might be able to use it if it comes in the form of zinc sulphate.

For instance - you eat salt which is sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is a chemical compound of sodium and chlorine. You can't eat chlorine though!

Quickbrew_2

The sulphate just makes the zinc ionic and therefore water soluble. You should find that most preparations of zinc are in the form of the sulphate (same is true with most metals eg iron, sodium etc). If it wasn't ionic - it would pass right through without being absorbed.

Ted_Hutchinson

The form of Zinc most easily obtainable is as Zinc citrate.

I'm still looking to see if I can find a good reason to pay more for the sulphate form.
This indicates a better utilization of zinc chelated by citric acid in an experiment on rats
Simply supplements 360£5.69 If you've other stuff to buy SS will price match without hassle.
Healthy direct via quidco for 22% cashback 360 Tablets our price £4.95 Qty

Linus Pauling information on zinc

Very interesting article on Zinc at the MS diet website Includes a test to see if you are zinc deficient or not. It also says that the Zinc Suphate is the cheapest form and should be avoided due to the frequent occurrence of gastric irritation and dyspepsia. To avoid such a possibility, as a precaution, any zinc preparation should be taken after food.
In my searches of Pubmed I found another paper suggesting more Zinc is absorbed in a fasting period rather than with food.
Looks like MS people weren't right about it being the cheapest as the cheapest Sulphate form I can find is

Health Aid Zinc Sulphate 90 x 200mg Tablets £7.84

Tinsley house Zinc Sulphate adhd informationThis article repeats what you have been told about the value of Zinc Sulphate for ADHD. It suggest Boots zinc one a day is Zinc Sulphate. I can't actually see any reason why the sulphate version should be better than the citrate option although you could do the taste test with the sulphate version. With the citrate version I suspect you'd taste the acidity and thus defeat the test result.

Zinc monotherapy was significantly superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and impaired socialization in patients with ADHD.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that zinc as a supplementary medication might be beneficial in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

You can see that both the above trials used zinc sulphate though of course we don't know if that was because it was cheaper or just more readily available or actually thought to be the best choice, but I'm sure it's because of these trials that the sulphate version is being recommended.

I've had a look atmedicines.org.ukand they list Zinc Sulphat, citrate and gluconate all as prescribable products so why not ask your GP if you could try some on prescription. If you download the above abstracts to show why you want to use it s/he may be willing to let you have it on prescription.

shokadelika

frostyspice wrote:

You can't just eat zinc. It's a metal. But the body might be able to use it if it comes in the form of zinc sulphate.

For instance - you eat salt which is sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is a chemical compound of sodium and chlorine. You can't eat chlorine though!

Oh Yeah ? try your tap water or the swimming baths!Chlorine is mustard gas!Destroys beneficial bacteria in your gut hence the massive increases in IBS etc