ZMA...again

A

AJP

0
I didn't wanna hi-jack the other zma thread.

For those that have taken or are taking zma, I understand that calcium will inhibit the absorption, therefore what time do you take the capsules? It is recommended before bed (30-60 minutes) but no calcium before or after. I'm pretty accustomed to having some form of calcium before bed, usually cottage cheese, and I know others have a shake/form of casein.

It's also suppose to be taken on an empty stomach (which I don't have very often) so when do you guys take yours? Hours before bedtime and a couple capsules during the day? or just throughout the day and none at night?
Thanks guys.
 
I take mine about an hour before bed, but I don't eat anything before I go to sleep
 
dont stress over it too much. we were talking about this on another board and found the following

Both Zinc Monomethionine and Magnesium Aspartate are amino acid chelated. Chelation is a chemical process in which amino acids are reacted with minerals to form chelates. A better way to describe them would be mineral peptides. They have a very small molecular weight (less than 800 Daltons) and are treated by the body, or the digestive system , as small peptides. Much like a di-peptide. They pass straight through the intestine wall.

Herein lies the tremendous failing and misunderstanding of the calcium/ZMA rigmarole. It is true that Zinc/Calcium/Magnesium salts will compete for absorption in the intestine. BUT only salts, i.e. Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Citrate etc. When we look at say Zinc Monomethionine for example it compromises 20% Zinc and 80% L-monomethionine. You can now see the science behind chelated minerals and why they are so effective.

Unfortunately people will often just pick up a book and read that Zinc should not be taken with Calcium. Even the marketers of ZMA still do not fully understand how it is absorbed, which is downright negligence.

plus this

"Calcium interferes with zinc/and or magnesium absorption."

While this is true in a very basic sense, it is not something to worry too much about. I understand that if you are paying for a product that you want to get as much of it into the target cells as possible. But the fact is that the interactions between Ca,Zn, and Mg and their respective absorption mechanisms are not all that relevant. Sure, you may inhibit 10% of the Zn or Mg absorption by taking them with calcium, but that isn't a real important amount. Remember that we are talking about minerals here, and that minerals, unlike water soluble vitamins, accumulate in the body. Your body is going to get what it needs, there are very very few 'critical limiting reactions' in the gut in regard to our basic vitamin and mineral needs.

do the best you can when taking it but dont worry that much about it :)
 
When i take em together it tends to upset my stomach. I just take the ZMA about an hour before i go to sleep, then i drink my protein shake or just milk like maybe 5 minutes before i go to sleep.
 
Biggie said:
When i take em together it tends to upset my stomach. I just take the ZMA about an hour before i go to sleep, then i drink my protein shake or just milk like maybe 5 minutes before i go to sleep.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I was thinking I would do, Thanks
 
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