Choosing the Best ZMA Supplement

Everyone once and a while we get a new take on something that already works quite well. Sometimes this is absolutely fantastic (television shows and movies on demand anyone), and sometimes it can be… less than fantastic (take the Betamax for example).

In the supplement industry, new takes on old supplements are few and far between, with some providing additional benefits over their more traditional counterparts, while others are rendered almost completely ineffective.

Fortunately for us, ZMA is one of the few supplements that has taken something good, and turned it into something better.

What is ZMA?

ZMA is a specific supplement that is actually made up of two very traditional dietary minerals and an extremely important vitamin – Zinc and Magnesium, and Vitamin B6 – each of which have a host of important roles throughout the body.

Zinc is an interesting compound that cannot be stored within the human body, and subsequently must be consumed on a regular basis to maximize effectiveness.

Within this, zinc plays key roles in allowing the healing of wounds and damaged tissue, ensuring the growth and development of new cells, maintaining immune system function, and promoting energy metabolism.

Magnesium is another key mineral that is required to maintain optimal function of both the nervous and muscular systems, while also assisting in the maintenance of optimal bone growth and function.

And finally, vitamin B6 is another key compound within the body that promotes optimal health throughout a variety of different systems. Its roles include maintaining cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, and immune system function, while also assisting in the production of key hormones.

What are the Benefits of Taking ZMA?

While each of these compounds hold a specific place within the body in isolation, their collective consumption has shown to cause huge improvement within the body at a physiological level, boosting health and function in a very big way.

ZMA Supplementation and the Immune System

Each of the key compounds found within ZMA play an integral role ensuring the health and function of the immune system. This is done by optimizing immune cell function, and maximizing the efficiency of the nervous system.

Additionally, the compounds within ZMA (with specific emphasis on Zinc) have also been shown to exhibit powerful anti-oxidant properties. Through these actions, ZMA can reduce the formation of harmful free radicals within the body, while also reducing systemic inflammation.

As a result, ZMA offers an excellent way to boost the overall effectiveness of our immune system, reducing our risk of disease and illness significantly ^[1].

ZMA Supplementation and Testosterone

It is common knowledge that testosterone is one of the most anabolic hormones within the human body. Responsible for promoting both muscle growth and fat loss, it is key when it comes to making large changes in body composition.

Interestingly, both zinc and magnesium have been shown to interact with the hormonal systems of the body, demonstrating strong associations with increased levels of testosterone within the blood. With this in mind the consumption of ZMA offers an excellent way to boost testosterone levels naturally.

This further suggest that ZMA be an excellent option for those active individuals looking to promote fat loss and increase lean muscle mass ^[2].

ZMA Supplementation and Metabolism

And finally, in conjunction with the above, the compounds within ZMA have also been shown to have a powerful effect on the production of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).

These hormones are absolutely essential to the maintenance of a normal metabolic rate, in which their deficiency can lead to both unwanted weight gain and a host of health issues.

Interestingly, by including ZMA into the diet we can provide the body with those nutrients essential to maintaining optimal function of the thyroid gland, and thus ensuring the normal production of our thyroid hormones.

This can cause a subsequent increase in metabolic rate, promoting both fat loss and the regulation of normal health – both of which are critical in terms of long term health and longevity, while also holding importance for those individuals looking to lose weight.

Best ZMA Supplement Reviews

ZMA has been making a fairly large splash within the supplement industry for a long time. While this is for the most part a good thing, it does means that some subpar supplements have entered the market, making it challenging to find a good option.

With this in mind, we have gone ahead and found what we believe to be the best three ZMA supplements on the market – each offering up a great option.

Optimum Nutrition ZMA Capsules

Optimum Nutrition have long been considered one of the premier sports supplement companies in existence. They have developed an incredibly good reputation for producing high quality products that have scientific evidence to support their use.

This ZMA supplement truly reinforces this, using excellent quality ingredients provided in potent dosages, it truly is an excellent choice.

NOW Sports ZMA Capsules

NOW are a fantastic supplement company that offer a no frills approach to their products. Using quality ingredients in well supported dosages, they offer everything that you need in a good supplement.

This ZMA capsule is a prime example of this, using evidence based dosages of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6, it provides us with everything you could possible ask for in a ZMA supplement – this is a great option.

PrimaForce ZMA Supplement

PrimaForce are a little younger than many of their competitors, but that shouldn’t act as a deterrent. They have quickly built a sound reputation for producing excellent quality products at affordable price points – something that is paramount within their ZMA supplement.

Hands down the most affordable option on this list, it provides high quality ingredients in supported dosages. This is a truly great option for those individuals on a tight budget.

Take-Away Message

ZMA is a key supplement for those looking to boost health and function. This combination of three key compounds has been shown to positively influence the hormonal system of the body, boosting testosterone production, and ensuring optimal thyroid production. This has been shown o promote fat loss, improve muscle growth, and assist in the maintenance of metabolism.

As an added bonus, ZMA is also know to improve immune system function, playing a key role in ensuring health while staving off disease and illness.

The three ZMA supplements listed within this article are what we believe to be the best on the market. If you have had any experience with them we would love to hear about it, so please drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP.