What kind of interaction is it?

Timing-sensitive: the two substances can be taken on the same day but should be separated by a minimum time window.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 2 citation rows for the Calcium Carbonate + Zinc pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Interaction databaseSupplement × PrescriptionReviewed May 2026

Calcium Carbonate and Zinc, timing-sensitive.

Q: Can I take Calcium Carbonate and Zinc together?

Yes, if you separate them in time. Calcium Carbonate and Zinc have a documented timing-sensitive interaction. Calcium carbonate can reduce zinc absorption when taken with the same meal or supplement dose. In a human absorption study, 600 mg of calcium as calcium carbonate reduced zinc absorption from a test meal by about 50%. This matters most when zinc is being used to correct low zinc status, support wound healing, or replace losses from poor intake.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored timing-sensitive row.

Calcium carbonate can reduce zinc absorption when taken with the same meal or supplement dose. In a human absorption study, 600 mg of calcium as calcium carbonate reduced zinc absorption from a test meal by about 50%. This matters most when zinc is being used to correct low zinc status, support wound healing, or replace losses from poor intake.

2 primary source citations. Moderate evidence. Last verified May 30, 2026.

Open the interaction checker →Read the methodology

One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.

Sourcing standards·Evidence tiers

From the interaction database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.

At a glance

Substances: Calcium Carbonate and Zinc
Pair type: Timing Sensitive
Evidence (highest tier): Moderate
Source citations: 2 sources
Stack Score effect: −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
Scope: Supplement × Prescription
Last verified: May 30, 2026

Timing Sensitive · Moderate evidence

Timing Sensitive

What is happening. Calcium carbonate can reduce zinc absorption when taken with the same meal or supplement dose. In a human absorption study, 600 mg of calcium as calcium carbonate reduced zinc absorption from a test meal by about 50%. This matters most when zinc is being used to correct low zinc status, support wound healing, or replace losses from poor intake.

Mechanism. Calcium can compete with zinc for intestinal absorption and can form less soluble mineral complexes in the gut lumen. Calcium carbonate also changes luminal mineral chemistry near the dose, making simultaneous zinc absorption less efficient.

Recommendation. Separate zinc from calcium carbonate by at least 2 hours, and preferably 4 hours when treating zinc deficiency. If calcium carbonate must be taken with meals for antacid effect, take zinc at a different meal or at bedtime if tolerated. Recheck zinc status or clinical response if deficiency symptoms are not improving.

Minimum separation. 120

Sources (2)

Stack Score

How this pair moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Calcium Carbonate and Zinc are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.

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