Nature's Life Zinc Products:

• Zinc Lozenges
• Zinkers Throat Lozenges

Nature’s Life Zinkers™ and Zinc Lozenges offer a convenient, tasty way to relieve sore, irritated throats while supplementing your body’s nutritional needs.

• Zinc helps protect against harmful micro-organisms*

• Vitamin C and Zinc support a healthy immune system*

• Zinc is critical in support of lymph glands and white blood cells*

• Echinacea has been used for immune support throughout history*

Zinc gluconate has been shown in various studies to inhibit the growth of harmful viruses in the throat.*1,2 Zinc is required for a healthy immune system and, as we age, a marginal zinc deficiency may impair immune function.*1,2 Zinc-containing enzymes are used to make immune cells which help protect against invading microbes and viruses while shortening the duration of throat discomfort.*1,2,3

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant nutrient and a cofactor in many metabolic reactions.* People with the highest vitamin C consumption levels have significantly lower mortality rates from all causes.*4 Serum vitamin C enhances conventional antibiotic drug therapy and helps protect against the growth of harmful bacteria.*5

Both Zinkers™ and Zinc Lozenges from Nature’s Life contain these valuable nutrients. For a more complete formula with additional herbs and nutrients, we recommend the Zinc Lozenges.

Natural Herbs - For centuries, Eucalyptus Leaf (Eucalyptus globulus)has been used traditionally for irritated throats, and is a component of most over-the-counter cough drops.* Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used traditionally for throat discomfort due to its soothing properties.* Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) has been used for centuries as an herbal support during the winter season.* Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus rubra) and Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) have been used traditionally for years to help soothe irritated throats.* Fenugreek Seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum) contains a soothing mucilage that coats the throat.*

Zinc Safety - High potency zinc supplements should not be taken for more than five days without added copper supplementation, since excess zinc intake may lead to a copper deficiency. Taking too much zinc can suppress immune function. These two minerals, much like other nutrient groups, work best when taken in proportionate amounts.10 Taking more than the recommended amount of zinc, or taking zinc on an empty stomach may result in nausea.11 Although Zinkers™ and Zinc Lozenges contain relatively lower amounts of zinc compared to most single ingredient zinc supplements, caution is nonetheless advised. The adult Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of zinc is 15 mg; the RDI for copper is 2 mg.

References:

1. DiSilvestro RA, Cousins RJ. Physiological Ligands for Copper and Zinc. Ann Rev Nutr 1983;3:261-288.
2. Novick SG, Godfrey JC, Godfrey NJ, Wilder HR. How does zinc modify the common cold? Clinical observations and implications regarding mechanisms of action. Med Hypotheses 1996;46:295-302.
3. Godfrey JC, Conant Sloan B, Smith DS, Turco JH, Mercer N, Godfrey NJ. Zinc Gluconate and the common cold: a controlled clinical study. J Int Med Res 1992;20:234-246.
4. Enstrom JE, Kanim LE, Klein MA. Vitamin C intake and mortality among a sample of the United States population. Epidemiology 1992;3:194-202.
5. Amabile-Cuevas C, et al. Decreased Resistance to Antibiotics and Plasmid Loss in Plasmid-carrying strains of Staphylococcus aureus Treated with Ascorbic Acid. Mut Res 1991;264:119-125.
6. Suda D, Schwartz J, Shklar G.  Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene. Carcinogenesis 1986;7:711-15.
7. Bendich A. Carotenoids and the immune response. J Nutr 1989;119:112-5.
8. Bendich A. Effect of beta-carotene and canthaxanthin on the immune responses of the rat. J Nutr 1986;116:2254-62.
9. Hebel SK, et al, eds. Fenugreek, in The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons. July 1996;1-3.
10. Sanstead HH. Requirements and toxicity of essential trace elements, illustrated by zinc and copper. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61(suppl):621S-4S.
11. Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Mason P. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:81-8.