Life Extension Zinc Caps 50 mg
Brand: Life Extension · Form: CAPSULE [E0159] On Market
Our assessment
The evidence shows that zinc is an essential mineral, but at 50 mg per dose, this supplement provides well above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. For most people, long-term use at this level could pose risks. The product contains only zinc, and we rely on the data provided for calcium to understand general mineral safety principles.
How it works
Zinc is a critical cofactor for over 300 enzymes in your body, supporting immune function, protein synthesis, and wound healing. While the data provided focuses on calcium, it illustrates how minerals work systemically: calcium supports bone mineralization and neuromuscular relaxation [NIH ODS]. Zinc similarly plays a role in cell division and DNA synthesis, though specific mechanism details for zinc are not available in this dataset.
Safety profile
Data not available for zinc-specific adverse events from this dataset. The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System includes 592,059 total reports across all supplements, but specific counts for this product are not listed [FDA data]. For context, the data on calcium warns that high mineral intakes can cause constipation, nausea, and abnormal heart rhythms [NIH ODS]. Prolonged high zinc intake (over 40 mg daily) is known to cause copper deficiency, though this specific safety data for zinc is not provided here.
Our recommendation
We recommend you do not exceed 40 mg of zinc per day from all sources unless under medical supervision. The 50 mg dose in this product is above the tolerable upper intake level. Consider a lower-dose supplement (15-30 mg) for general immune support. If you are taking antibiotics like tetracycline or fluoroquinolones, take zinc at least two hours apart to prevent absorption issues [NIH ODS].
AI-assisted analysis. Data sourced from NIH DSLD.
Supplement Facts
| Brand | Life Extension |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Contents | 90.0 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market Status | On Market |
How to Read This Label
Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:
- Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
- Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
- % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
- Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
- Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.
Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide