Overview
Zinc + magnesium + B6 for recovery.
- Whole foods (leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds, seafood, animal proteins)
- Fortified foods such as cereals, breads, plant milks, and table salt
- Mineral supplements as chelates, citrates, glycinates, or inorganic salts
- Chelated form (glycinate, bisglycinate, citrate, malate)
- Inorganic salt (oxide, sulfate, chloride)
- Liquid ionic solution
- Topical or transdermal preparation
Mechanism of action
Replenishes athlete deficiencies.
- · Replenishes athlete deficiencies
Effects on the body
Organ system effects
Zinc Monomethionine (ZMA) promotes parasympathetic tone, GABAergic signaling, or melatonergic pathways that facilitate sleep onset and quality.
Zinc Monomethionine (ZMA) influences androgen signaling, prostate health, or male reproductive function.
Evidence-based benefits
Improves sleep
Moderate evidencePotential side effects
- · GI upset
Drug interactions
Safety & non-supplemental interactions
Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.
- ·Alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sedating antihistamines (additive CNS depression)
Supplement interactions
- Magnesium glycinateComplementary GABAergic calming and improved sleep architecture.
- L-theanineReduces sleep latency without sedation.
No specific avoidances listed.
Dosing & bioavailability
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.
Scientific evidence8Show studiesHide studies
ZMA testosterone
Wilborn CD, et al.
42 men
No advantage over placebo.
PubMed: Zinc Monomethionine (ZMA) — Improves sleep
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PubMed: Zinc Monomethionine (ZMA) — randomized controlled trial
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