Men's Vitality: 50 mg of Zinc Is Above the Daily Upper Limit, and It Contains Oyster Extract

Men's Vitality — $36.90, 60 capsules. This article is mostly warnings, because that is what this label calls for.

1. The zinc is 50 mg. The adult upper limit is 40 mg.

The label lists Zinc (as Zinc Oxide) 50 mg per serving.

The established Tolerable Upper Intake Level for zinc in adults is 40 mg per day from all sources combined. This product alone is above that before you count anything else you eat or take.

Why it matters: zinc and copper compete for absorption. Sustained high zinc intake can cause copper deficiency, which has real consequences including anaemia and neurological problems. This is not a theoretical concern — it is the recognised reason the upper limit exists. Short-term high zinc can also cause nausea and a metallic taste.

What to do with that:

• Do not take this alongside another zinc supplement or a multivitamin containing zinc. VitaWell and Brain & Focus Formula both contain zinc. Add them up.
• Do not take it continuously long-term without medical supervision.
• Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting, particularly about copper.

We would rather print this than sell the bottle quietly.

2. It contains oyster extract — that is shellfish

Inside the 745 mg proprietary blend: Oyster Extract.

Oysters are shellfish, and shellfish is one of the major allergens. If you have a shellfish allergy, do not take this product.

We want to be transparent about something: our own label does not carry a "Contains: Shellfish" declaration for this product, while our Libido Support Strips — which also contain oyster-derived material — do declare it. That inconsistency is ours, we have flagged it internally for the supplier to confirm, and in the meantime we are telling you plainly what is in the ingredient list.

If you have a shellfish allergy and have already bought this, please do not take it — contact us.

3. It contains Orchic

Also in the blend: Orchic, which is bovine testicular tissue extract. It is a traditional ingredient in this product category and perfectly legal, but a great many people would want to know it is there before swallowing it. This is not a vegetarian or vegan product.

The full ingredient list

Calcium (as calcium carbonate) 367 mg · Zinc (as zinc oxide) 50 mg · Tongkat Ali root 400 mg · Maca root 250 mg · L-Arginine HCl 250 mg · Ginseng/Eleuthero blend 125 mg · Proprietary blend 745 mg.

The proprietary blend contains: pumpkin extract, sarsaparilla, muira puama, oat straw, boron, cayenne, catuaba, licorice extract, tribulus terrestris, orchic, oyster extract, astragalus, nettle.

Thirteen ingredients inside 745 mg, with no individual amounts.

Three more things to raise with a doctor

• Licorice extract — can raise blood pressure and lower potassium with regular use. Relevant if you have hypertension or take a diuretic.
• L-arginine — affects blood vessels. If you take nitrates or erectile dysfunction medication, this is a genuine interaction question, not a formality. The same point applies to our Nitric Oxide product.
• Panax ginseng and tongkat ali — ginseng is worth mentioning if you take blood thinners or diabetes medication. Tongkat ali also appears in our Shilajit Complex.

What it claims — and what it is not

The label supports energy, stamina, vitality and physical performance.* It does not treat erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, infertility or any medical condition, and it is not a testosterone booster in any measured sense.

If performance or libido has changed in a way that concerns you, that is genuinely worth a doctor's visit. Those changes can be early signs of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, depression or medication side effects — all of which are diagnosable and treatable, and none of which are addressed by a capsule.

How to take it

Two capsules once daily, 20–30 minutes before a meal with 8 oz of water. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Not for anyone under 18. Consult a physician before use if you have a known medical condition.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All amounts quoted are taken from the product label. This article is general information, not medical advice.