2.4. Zn Supplement
ADVERSE EVENTS
Zinc and placebo capsules were manufactured by Plenna Pharmacy, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Each zinc supplement capsule contained 30 mg of chelated zinc (zinc bisglycinate 20%; excipients: magnesium stearate, talc, aerosil, sodium lauryl sulfate, and starch), while each placebo capsule contained 30 mg of cornstarch. Both were similar in size, shape, color, weight, and packaging. Bottles containing 30 capsules were sealed and identified by the pharmacy as Group A or Group B. Therefore, neither the participants nor the researchers knew how to distinguish which group was receiving Zn or placebo. At the end of the study, the description of the groups (intervention or placebo) was revealed to the researchers.Participants were advised to take one capsule daily, 60 min after a main meal, for 12 weeks. In the first 20 days, reminders via phone messages were sent daily to the participants. Participants were asked to record any adverse events while taking the supplement and were in contact with a researcher daily.