Zinc. What is it used for? How much is too much?

[Cleansing]

I take this multvitamin which contains 15mg of zinc, that's the RDA, But I also have a separate bottle of zinc with 50 mg of Zinc. Now I' reading all over the net, and Im reading all kinds of stuff about Zinc. To your knowledge, what does it do? Im using it for my skin problems, but they say it boosts your immune system as well. I hearing anything over 100 mg is too much. but some sites are saying 50 mg is too much.

What do you know about Zinc supplements?

[freya]

Anything over 25 mg. gives me a sick stomach -- after all, it is a metal!!!!!!! They actually have lozenges that you're supposed to use if you feel a sore-throat or cold coming on, but, really, they taste like you're chewing on a piece of rusted metal -- gross!

But I do take it, and it does indeed appear to help in warding off viruses and/or in lessening their severity. At least, it works that way for me. I take 25mg. at night and my multi-vitamin (which I take in the morning) also has 15 mg.

If I feel like I'm starting to get sick, then I take an extra 25mg. with a meal, because, like I said, taking it on an empty stomach or taking more than 25 mg. at a time make me nauaseous.

freya

[OceanBound]

I heard about the immune system boost and I'm taking 50mg a day. Never bothered my stomach. The regular multivitamin, however, upsets my stomach every day (not much). Can't figure out what's there that my body can't tolerate well.