AM Spark and PM Nightcap

It can be immensely difficult to fill our pill minders or to remember to take our multi-vitamin daily. Many of us go through phases of successfully meal prepping or choosing health conscious foods and supplementing appropriately, but it can be hard to know what to take when, how much to take, and the best way to take certain nutrients or supplements. OVOMD makes it easy by providing one simple capsule in the AM and PM to meet your cellular needs when you need it. Our morning supplement provides get up and go energy through its CoQ10-featured formula, while your nighttime dose aids in melatonin production and helps to decrease cortisol for a restful and rejuvenating sleep.

ZINC

Zinc is a nutrient well-known for its role in the immune system and connective tissue health including our gastrointestinal system. It has been used for decades in either elemental or salt form. Some medications can predispose us to deficiency (i.e. antacids and medications to treat hypertension).

 It can be applied topically or taken orally for therapeutic benefit. You may also be familiar with this nutrient due to its widespread use as a barrier sunscreen, which serves as an alternative to carcinogenic agents such as avobenzone. It is also used often as an active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos due to its anti-fungal effect.  

So why do we need zinc?

Zinc plays a crucial role in multiple aspects of the body and most notably, the immune system due to its role in the inflammatory response and lymphocyte gene regulation. It is also crucial for nonspecific immunity (neutrophils and natural killer cells) as well as the development of acquired immunity (T-lymphocyte activation). Additionally, zinc's ability to heal the mucosal epithelium makes it essential in treating diseases of the gastrointestinal system. Zinc deficiency has also been linked to low sperm quality, decreased testosterone levels in men, and male infertility. 

What else do our bodies need zinc for?

Zinc has been shown to play a role in preventing chronic pain as well as providing analgesia, pain relief, when used as a nutritional supplement.

Zinc and magnesium play a role in preventing the 'wind up' of the nervous system through multiple mechanisms including preventing excess excitatory neurotransmission.

It works by binding to NMDA channels thus preventing the experience of chronic pain and may be useful in reducing pain perception. A deficiency of zinc is correlated with increased inflammation through the activation of NFKB, which is often seen in the synovial fluid of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, zinc aids in the balance of calcium and magnesium, which support bone and other connective tissue strength and when sufficient levels are consumed, fascia maintains its elasticity and there is a decreased incidence of myofascial pain. 

Zinc also aids in our mental health and neuroplasticity. Low levels have been correlated with increase in depression and anxiety. It also aids in the integrity of our gastrointestinal system. Supplementing with zinc not only helps to patch up “leaky guts” and improve gut permeability, but it also helps to almost 100 enzymes in our body perform optimally.

Supplementation with zinc can be helpful in meeting multiple health-related goals, but there is a delicate balance of minerals within the body, which is why supplementing with a reputable brand at the right dose is essential.

Shankar AH, Prasad AS. Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infection. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Aug;68(2 Suppl):447S-463S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/68.2.447S. PMID: 9701160.

Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi: 10.1155/2014/709152. Epub 2014 Jul 10. PMID: 25120566; PMCID: PMC4120804.