Scientists confirm safety of magnesium, calcium and zinc forms
Fears surrounding the safety of three mineral forms used in food supplements are groundless, it has been revealed.
According to the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food, the use of magnesium L-lysinate, calcium L-lysinate and zinc L-lysinate as sources for magnesium, calcium and zinc does not pose a risk.
L-lysine itself is an amino acid salt which is absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine into the enterocytes.
Some of the L-lysine is then metabolised within the enterocytes and the remainder passes on to the liver.
The EFSA found that even in a worse-case scenario - where the three lysinates would be used together in supplements as sources of magnesium, calcium and zinc at the tolerable upper intake levels - there would be no safety concerns and they offered a rat study as further proof that lysinate use is not associated with side-effects.
"The panel concluded that the use of magnesium L-lysinate, calcium L-lysinate and zinc L-lysinate used in food supplements as a source of respectively magnesium, calcium and zinc is not of safety concern at the proposed use levels," the EFSA stated.
Magnesium helps with muscle and nerve function and keeps heart rhythm steady, calcium keeps bones and teeth healthy, and zinc supports a healthy immune system.
Fears surrounding the safety of three mineral forms used in food supplements are groundless, it has been revealed.
