Is there a ratio for taking copper and zinc, or can I just take zinc by itself?

Q. I have read elsewhere that copper and zinc have to be in a finite ratio. Is it safe to have zinc and no copper at all?

A. Ideally, you want a balanced ratio of zinc to copper in the body and cells, but because 85% of us are seriously zinc deficient, and many of us have excess copper levels, people tend to do really well on copper free supplements with extra zinc for months or even years. More specifically, women with PMS, menopausal complaints, and emotional upsets tend to have very high copper levels. Zinc deficiency is also very common with people who get colds and flu often, have high levels or stress, and prostate health concerns. Zinc is also very deficient in the food supply due to our nutrient poor soil, thus it is a constant struggle to get enough zinc.

Once your zinc levels have been restored to normal (as per the Zinc Challenge Taste Test), and assuming copper levels are not in excess (as per hair mineral analysis), this is a good time to supplement with multivitamin which has zinc and copper in a Zinc/Copper ratio of 15mg:1mg.