ZMB

Scitec ZMB is a dietary supplement containing essential nutrients. Its three components are zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6. But what is the role of these minerals and vitamin B6 in the human body, and why is it important for an athlete to maintain the right levels?

Zinc

Zinc is one of the most important micro or trace minerals for the human body. It is called a micronutrient because it is present in less than five thousandths of the body's mass. In terms of quantity, it is the second most abundant trace element in the body after iron and is a constituent of over 300 enzymes.

What are the sources of zinc?

The main sources are animal foods, especially red meats and offal, seafood such as oysters, but it can also be found in plant foods (e.g. pumpkin seeds, lentils), dairy products and whole grains. The bioavailability of plant sources is more limited due to the phytate content of plants. These phytates can be reduced by germination, soaking, leavening or fermentation, and the absorption of zinc from plant sources is improved if animal sources are also on our plates.

What is the role of zinc?

Zinc is involved in the maintenance of normal acid-base balance, normal carbohydrate metabolism, normal metabolism of macronutrients, normal metabolism of vitamin A, and plays a role in cell division and the maintenance of fertility and reproduction, normal protein synthesis.

 Furthermore, zinc contributes to:

• Maintenance of normal mental function
• Normal DNA synthesis
• Maintenance of normal bone structure
• Maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails
• Maintaining normal testosterone levels in the blood
• To maintain normal vision
• To maintain normal immune system function
• To protect cells against oxidative stress

As you can see, zinc is involved in our life processes in many places and plays an essential role in many places. A 2017 meta-analysis by Chu and colleagues1found that athletes have a fundamentally higher zinc requirement and although their average daily zinc intake is higher compared to their non-athlete counterparts, their serum zinc levels are lower compared to a non-athlete control group.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a very versatile micronutrient in the human body. According to recent literature, it is involved in the function of nearly 600 enzymes. Next to potassium, it is the second most abundant cation in our cells in terms of quantity, and the fourth most abundant of all micronutrients when compared in terms of quantity. About 50% of the magnesium in our body is found in our bones, while the remaining 90% is found in our cells. 

What is magnesium found in?

Foods rich in magnesium include oilseeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, pulses and dark chocolate. Oatmeal, for example, which is popular with athletes, contains about 177 mg of magnesium per 100 grams, but pumpkin seeds, bananas, almonds and dark chocolate with over 70% cocoa are also good sources of magnesium.

What is the role of magnesium?

Magnesium is known to contribute to reducing fatigue and tiredness, maintaining electrolyte balance, proper functioning of the nervous system, normal muscle function, normal psychological function, and normal teeth. Involved in normal energy-producing metabolic processes, involved in normal protein synthesis, involved in the maintenance of normal skeleton and involved in cell division. In terms of energy production, which is also very important for active people, magnesium is also needed for the basic unit of energy production, ATP, to function.

People taking magnesium and vitamin B6 have significantly reduced stress levels and improved sleep3,5.

A two-sample, two-way Menedli randomisation trial conducted in May 20252, after examining data from over 450,000 subjects, showed a positive association between subjects' zinc and magnesium levels and grip strength, physical activity and muscle mass.

Vitamin B6

B vitamins are water-soluble and require daily supplementation. A properly varied diet provides an adequate intake of this vitamin, with poultry meat, fish, bananas, potatoes and whole grains being the main sources. These are the foods that are usually found in an athlete's diet.

At the same time, it is sometimes important to remember that some micronutrients work in synergy with each other. Vitamin B6 helps to make better use of zinc and magnesium, so in this combination it may be more optimal to supplement these micronutrients(3) (,4).

In addition, from an athlete's point of view, vitamin B6 is also a very important factor in normal protein and glycogen metabolism, and in normal energy-producing metabolic processes. It contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, normal red blood cell production, reduction of fatigue and tiredness, normal functioning of the immune system and regulation of hormonal activity.

As we can see, all three micronutrients are important for the maintenance and regulation of normal physiological functions in humans and may be particularly important for proper sports performance.

Literature and resources used:

1 Chu A, Holdaway C, Varma T, Petocz P, Samman S. Lower Serum Zinc Concentration Despite Higher Dietary Zinc Intake in Athletes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2018 Feb; 48(2):327-336. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0818-8. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0818-8. PMID: 29164533.

2 Liu H, Chen J, Ni S, Long W, Dong X, Liao H, Lu L, Yang Z. Causal relationships between micronutrients and sarcopenia: a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2025 May 28;137:105917. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2025.105917. epub ahead of print. PMID: 40483991.

3 Pouteau E, Kabir-Ahmadi M, Noah L, Mazur A, Dye L, Hellhammer J, Pickering G, Dubray C. Superiority of magnesium and vitamin B6 over magnesium alone on severe stress in healthy adults with low magnesemia: a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. PLoS One. 2018 Dec 18; 13(12):e0208454. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208454. PMID: 30562392; PMCID: PMC6298677.

4 Turnlund JR, Keyes WR, Hudson CA, Betschart AA, Kretsch MJ, Sauberlich HE. A stable-isotope study of zinc, copper, and iron absorption and retention by young women fed vitamin B-6-deficient diets. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Dec; 54(6):1059-64. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/54.6.1059. PMID: 1957821.
Allen MJ, Sharma S. Magnesium. [In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519036/
Rabinovich D, Smadi Y. Zinc. [Updated 2023 May 1] In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547698/

5 Djokic G, Vojvodić P, Korcok D, Agic A, Rankovic A, Djordjevic V, Vojvodic A, Vlaskovic-Jovicevic T, Peric-Hajzler Z, Matovic D, Vojvodic J, Sijan G, Wollina U, Tirant M, Thuong NV, Fioranelli M, Lotti T. The Effects of Magnesium - Melatonin - Vit B Complex Supplementation in Treatment of Insomnia. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Aug 30; 7(18):3101-3105. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.771. PMID: 31850132; PMCID: PMC6910806.

DIRECTIONS

Take 1 capsule daily in the morning with 1 glass of water. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake.

WARNING:

Keep product out of reach of young children! This food supplement is not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake!