NutriStack
Combined Oral Contraceptive and Zinc, a synergy.
Multiple observational studies show that combined oral contraceptive users have lower serum zinc compared with non-users. The clinical impact is usually modest, but matters for immunity, skin, and any planned pregnancy.
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.
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
- Combined Oral Contraceptive and Zinc
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Multiple observational studies show that combined oral contraceptive users have lower serum zinc compared with non-users. The clinical impact is usually modest, but matters for immunity, skin, and any planned pregnancy.
Mechanism. Estrogen elevates serum copper and ceruloplasmin while lowering zinc; the precise mechanism involves altered metallothionein expression and competitive intestinal absorption with copper.
Recommendation. A daily multivitamin or zinc 10-15 mg is reasonable for women on combined oral contraception. Take with food to reduce nausea, and not at the same time as iron or calcium for best absorption.
Sources (2)
- Akinloye O, Adebayo TO, Oguntibeju OO, Oparinde DP, Ogunyemi EO. Effects of contraceptives on serum trace elements, calcium and phosphorus levels. West Indian Med J. 2011;60(3):308-15. PMID 22224344
- Palmery M, Saraceno A, Vaiarelli A, Carlomagno G. Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013;17(13):1804-13. PMID 23852908
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Combined Oral Contraceptive and Zinc are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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