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SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' THOUGHTS Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements FAQ /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large HUMAN EFFECT amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant MATRIX and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonlyCOMPLETE supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal SUMMARY CITATIONS testosterone levels.
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Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

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large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

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Summary (All Essential Benefits/Effects/Facts & Information)


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Zinc is one of the 24 classical micronutrients needed for survival. It can be SUMMARY found THINGS TO in various meat, egg, and legume products and is especially high in KNOW oysters. Zinc is known as an aphrodisiac and Testosterone Booster (/supplements/Testosterone+Booster/), although the former is anecdotal HOW TO TAKE and the latter only applies to the deficient (directly). EDITORS' THOUGHTS Zinc is highly involved in many enzyme systems in the body. Keeping FAQ normal zinc levels helps with the maintenance of these enzyme systems HUMAN EFFECT and acts as a hormonal and immune system aid. In very high doses, zinc can act as an aromatase inhibitor and lower estrogen levels but is a potent MATRIX oxidant; especially in the male prostate. It is also implicated in repair of the COMPLETE intestinal mucosa at similarily high levels. SUMMARY CITATIONS Zinc is also lost in sweat, as are many minerals, making mineral supplementation almost a necessity for athletes underconsuming the nutrient through food.

Quick Zinc has it's intestinal uptake hindered by the other divalent minerals Summary:
Zinc is ancalcium, essential Magnesium (/supplements/Magnesium/), and iron when all four mineral (/supplements together exceed their transporter's uptake limit (around 800mg or so). /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Consuming these involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes fine. in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

minerals alongside each other below this threshold is

Follow this Page (/follow/21/) for updates

Things to Know
Note Is a Form of
Essential Vitamin or Mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Immune Booster (/supplements /Immune+Booster/)

Edit (/edit/supplements Things to /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

Zinc is non-stimulatory

Goes Well With


Green Tea (/search.php?q=Green+Tea) (increased absorption)

Stacks Part Of
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Depression and Mood (/stacks /depression-and-mood.html) SUMMARY Type II Diabetes and Insulin THINGS TO Resistance (/stacks/typeii-diabetes-and-insulinKNOW resistance.html) Increasing Testosterone HOW TO TAKE (/stacks/increasingEDITORS' testosterone.html)

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

THOUGHTS FAQ Does Not Go Well With HUMAN EFFECT Iron (impaired absorption of MATRIX COMPLETE iron when both supplements exceed 10mg and it is taken on SUMMARY an empty stomach; no relevant CITATIONS inhibition otherwise)
Chlorogenic Acid (/supplements /Chlorogenic+Acid/) (Decreased absorption of Zinc)

Quick Summary:

Zinc is an essential Caution mineral (/supplements

Notice
be taken when

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Caution should involved in regulating a

large amount of using enzymes zinc supplementation in the body. It is known as surpassing the Tolerable an antioxidant and

Upper Limit of Intake (TUL) of immune boosting supplement, and is most and if possible alternate 40mg, commonly supplemented
to reduce the frequency of sickness and toxicology to support optimal testosterone levels.

supplements with better

profiles should be

used for those purposes desired.


Examine.com Medical Disclaimer ()

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How to Take (recommended dosage, active amounts,


other details)

Note: The phrase 'elemental zinc' refers to the weight of just the zinc molecule by itself, and is what the following doses refer to. Different chelations and forms have different weights and dosing protocols

Zinc is most commonly dosed in either the 'low dosage' range of 5-10mg or
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the 'high dosage' range of 25-45mg. The low dosage is a daily preventative

SUMMARY used to prevent deficiency in persons who have more than just a dietary THINGS TO deficiency working against them (athletes, diabetics, etc.). KNOW There is zinc 'superloading' protocol using up to 100mg zinc daily, and HOW TO TAKE while this is confirmed to be safe for short term usage (2-4 months) it is EDITORS' well above the tolerable upper limit (TUL) of 40mg and thus not advisable THOUGHTS for prolonged supplementation. FAQ Variants of Zinc Supplementation HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Zinc citrate is approximately 34% zinc by weight, and thus 50mg elemental zinc in this form is 146 mg zinc citrate. COMPLETE Zinc sulfate is approximately 22% zinc by weight, and thus 50mg elemental zinc in SUMMARY this form is 220 mg zinc sulfate. CITATIONS
Zinc gluconate is approximately 13% zinc by weight, and thus 50mg elemental zinc in this form is 385 mg zinc gluconate.

that reduces the risk for deficiency, and the high dosage range is the one

Quick Summary:
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and

Editors' Thoughts on Zinc

immune boosting One of the more common micronutrient deficiencies in athletes, supplement, and is most vegetarians/vegans, and those who sweat a ton. Not really a common commonly supplemented deficiency otherwise. to reduce the frequency of sickness and to Although theoretically it competes for absorption with Magnesium (which would be problematic given the ZMA formulation) if taken on an empty stomach there support optimal

should be enough transporters for both minerals. Just don't take with calcium testosterone levels. (as that micronutrient is much more abundant and, thus, can use up said transporters)
Edit (/edit/supplements Kurtis Frank (/user/KurtisFrank/) /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Zinc


Does ZMA cause weird dreams? (/faq/does-zma-cause-weird-dreams.html)

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SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' The Human Effect Matrix looks at human studies (excluding animal/petri-dish THOUGHTS studies) to tell you what effect Zinc has in your body, and how strong these effects are. FAQ HUMAN EFFECT LEVEL OF EVIDENCE MATRIXGRADE COMPLETE Robust research conducted with repeated double blind clinical trials A SUMMARY Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo CITATIONS

Human Effect Matrix

controlled Single double blind study or multiple cohort studies

C Quick Summary:
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

Uncontrolled or observational studies only

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) OF a involved in LEVEL regulating


EVIDENCE () large amount of enzymes EFFECT in the body. It is known as Mucositis (/topics/Mucositis/) an antioxidantB and

CHANGE ()

M AGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COM MENTS

50%
Minor
See all 4 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Mucositis&selection=all)

Decreases in the severity but not occurrence of mucositis have been reported in cancer patients undergoing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, although the benefits seem

immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

unreliable

Pneumonia (/topics/Pneumonia/)

87%
See all 8 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Pneumonia&selection=all)

In regards to pneumonia in particular, zinc does not appear to have any appreciable benefit either when superloaded by itself or taken as an adjuvant alongside antibiotics

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LEVEL OF EVIDENCE () CHANGE () M AGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

EFFECT SUMMARY IGF-1 (/topics/IGF-1/) B THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' THOUGHTS FAQ Insulin (/topics/Insulin/) B HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COM MENTS

66%
Minor
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21&effect=IGF1&selection=all)

There is an concentrations if the subject is deficient in zinc, but no increase otherwise.

increase in IGF-1

66%
Minor
See all 4 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Insulin&selection=all)

Basal insulin concentrations appear to be supplementation of zinc.

reduced following

B
Quick Summary:

Acne (/topics/Acne/)
Minor

100%
See all 4 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Acne&selection=all)

Orally supplemented zinc (in the dosage range of 30-130mg elemental zinc) appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of acne, although the effects are modest at best.

Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most Testosterone (/topics/Testosterone/) B commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.
Minor

75%
See all 5 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Testosterone&selection=all)

Both exercise as well as a zinc deficiency are associated with abnormally low testosterone

chronic/excessive

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/) B

concentrations, and in these states supplementation of zinc ... show

LDL-C (/topics/LDL-C/)
Minor

33%
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=LDL-C&selection=all)

A decrease in LDL cholesterol may occur when a zinc deficiency in obese persons is being normalized.

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LEVEL OF EVIDENCE () CHANGE () M AGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

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EFFECT SUMMARY C-Reactive Protein (/topics B THINGS TO /C-Reactive+Protein/) KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' THOUGHTS Blood Glucose (/topics/Blood+Glucose/) FAQ B HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COM MENTS

75%
Minor
See all 4 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21&effect=CReactive%20Protein&selection=all)

Supplementation who may be zinc deficient is able to reduce

of zinc in persons

C-reactive protein

66%
Minor
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Blood%20Glucose&selection=all)

A reduction in blood glucose has been observed alongside improvements in insulin sensitivity in obese persons who may have been zinc deficient.

Quick B Summary:

Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

Lipid Peroxidation (/topics /Lipid+Peroxidation/)

100%
Minor
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Lipid%20Peroxidation&selection=all)

A slight decrease in lipid peroxidation has been noted with supplementation who may be deficient.

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting Dysgeusia (/topics/Dysgeusia/) C is most supplement, and commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.
50%
Minor
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Dysgeusia&selection=all)

of zinc in persons

Although there may be an improvement in symptoms of persons who are specifically deficient in carbonic anhydrase VI

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

(zinc dependent enzyme) which occurs with zinc deficiency,...

Symptoms of OCD (/topics /Symptoms+of+OCD/)


Minor

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Symptoms%20of%20OCD&selection=all)

High dose zinc (220mg twice minor additive role to standard OCD therapy (fluoxetine), magnitude of benefit and the high dose used suggest... show

daily) may have a

although the small

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LEVEL OF EVIDENCE () CHANGE () M AGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

EFFECT SUMMARY Oxidation of LDL (/topics C THINGS TO /Oxidation+of+LDL/) KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' THOUGHTS FAQ HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE Leptin (/topics/Leptin/) C SUMMARY CITATIONS

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COM MENTS

50%
Minor
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Oxidation%20of%20LDL&selection=all)

Although there may not be an inherent protective effect deficiency does oxidation of LDL, if the body becomes more insulin... show

and normalizing a

not per se reduce

-Minor
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Leptin&selection=all)

Normalizing a zinc deficiency increases leptin (which is suppressed during deficiency), but elsewhere the abnormal elevation of zinc seen in morbid obesity has been reduced... show

Quick Summary:
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is as Symptoms of Pruritus (/topics Cknown an antioxidant and /Symptoms+of+Pruritus/) immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.
100%
Minor
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Symptoms%20of%20Pruritus&selection=all)

High dose (440mg) zinc sulphate appears to be effective in hemodialysis patients in reducing pruritis.

Symptoms of Rosacea (/topics /Symptoms+of+Rosacea/)

50%
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Symptoms%20of%20Rosacea&selection=all)

Although efficacy cannot yet be evidence currently does for zinc supplementation in the treatment of rosacea

ruled out, the best

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

not support a role

Subjective Well-being (/topics /Subjective+Well-being/)

50%
Minor
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=21& effect=Subjective%20Well-being&selection=all)

Although the currently, zinc has been previously associated with an improvement has mechanisms by which it can work. It likely has a... show

evidence is mixed

in mood state and

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Studies Excluded from Consideration SUMMARY THINGS TO Confounded with the inclusion of Magnesium (/supplements/Magnesium/) and KNOW vitamin B6 (used the formulation known as ZMA (/supplements/ZMA/))[1] HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' Disagree? Join the Zinc Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) THOUGHTS FAQ HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY Table of Contents: CITATIONS

Complete Summary

1. Sources and Biological Significance 1.1. Source and Origin Quick 1.2. Biological Significance Summary: 1.3. Intake and Requirements 1.4. Zinc Status and Deficiency Zinc is an essential
mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a2.1. Absorption

2. Pharmacology

2.2. Serum large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as 3. Neurology an antioxidant and

immune boosting 3.2. Glutaminergic Neurotransmission supplement, and is most 3.3. Ischemia and Hypoxia commonly supplemented

3.1. Distribution

3.4. Depression and Mood Disorders to reduce the frequency of sickness and to 3.5. Appetite support optimal 3.6. Attention
testosterone levels.

3.7. Obsession 3.8. Memory and Cognition

Edit (/edit/supplements 4.1. Artherosclerosis /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

4. Cardiovascular Health

4.2. Lipoproteins and Triglycerides

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back 5. Interactions with Glucose Metabolism to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

5.1. Glycogen 5.2. Insulin 5.3. Diabetes

6. Immunology and Inflammation 6.1. Tumor Necrosis Factor 6.2. Interleukins 6.3. T-Cells 6.4. Rhinovirus and URTIs 6.5. Pneumonia 6.6. Virology 7. Interactions with Oxidation 7.1. Interventions

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8. Interactions with Hormones 8.1. Testosterone 8.2. Dehydrotestosterone (DHT) SUMMARY 8.3. Estrogen THINGS TO 8.4. Insulin-like Growth Factors KNOW 8.5. Leptin

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

HOW TO TAKE 9. Interactions with Aesthetics EDITORS' 9.1. Skin THOUGHTS 10. Interactions with Organ Systems 10.1. Tongue and Mouth FAQ 10.2. Stomach HUMAN EFFECT 10.3. Liver MATRIX 10.4. Intestines COMPLETE 10.5. Ears 10.6. Testes SUMMARY CITATIONS 11. Interactions with Cancer Metabolism
11.1. Adjuvant Therapies 12. Interactions with Other Disease States 12.1. Celiac Disease Quick 12.2. Pruritus Summary: 13. Forms of Zinc Supplementation Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements 13.1. Zinc Citrate
/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) 13.2. Zinc Gluconate involved in regulating a13.3. Zinc Picolinate large amount of enzymes 14. Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and 14.1. Vitamin B6 immune boosting 14.2. Ethanol supplement, and is most 14.3. Iron commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to 15. Safety and Toxicology support optimal 15.1. General testosterone levels.

14.4. Copper

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

1. Sources

Edit (/e dit-section/suppleme nts/Zinc/?section=Sources+and+Biological+Significance)

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top 1.1. Source (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/) Zinc is an

and Biological Significance


and Origin
essential mineral (/supplements/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/)

found in high levels in animal tissues and eggs, legumes, and fish; it is exceptionally high in shellfish such as oyster[2][3] and may also be fortified into cereal grains in developed countries.[4] Zinc is most commonly touted to be important as it is a cofacter in over 300 enzymes involved in gene expression, cell proliferation and signal transduction[5][6][7] and deficiencies of zinc may reduce the activity of these enzymes.

1.2. Biological Significance


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Zinc's main role in the body is as a prosthetic group for several enzymes

SUMMARY enzyme; an endogenous anti-oxidant involving both zinc and copper.[8][9][10] THINGS TO Zinc is also involved in regulating the immune system.[11][12] KNOW 1.3. Intake and Requirements HOW TO TAKE The RDA values for zinc are an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of EDITORS' 6.5mg for females, 8.5-10mg for pregnant or lactating females, and 12mg a THOUGHTS FAQ day for men. The Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) values are 8mg for females, 10-12mg for pregnant or lactating females, and 14-15mg for HUMAN EFFECT males, and the Tolerable Upper intake Limit (TUL) is in the range of MATRIX 35-40mg for adults of both genders (all numbers daily requirements).[13][14] COMPLETE 1.4. Zinc Status and Deficiency SUMMARY CITATIONS A deficiency in zinc is related to delayed growth in youth and
hypogonadism in adult males[15] as well as general mental lethargy and skin abnormalities.[16]

called metalloproteins, one of which is the Superoxide Dismustase

Quick Summary: Zinc deficiency is mostly associated with cognitive deficits (memory and mood)
Zinc is an essential as well as growth impairments in youth mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a When looking at zinc

deficiency rates, it has been noted that around 10% of less than half the RDA of are over 50% (due to high

large amount of enzymes of persons (USA) have a dietary intake in the body. It is known as [17][18] while global deficiency rates zincand an antioxidant

immune boosting deficiency rates in third world countries).[18] It has been reported (WHO, supplement, and is most to be a major factor contributing to 1.4% deaths worldwide commonly2002) supplemented [19] to reduce the frequency

associated with severe zinc deficiency in childhood

although this

of sickness and to magnitude of support optimal [20] countries. testosterone levels.

deficiency is almost never observed in first-world

In general, while zinc deficiency does seem to be an issue the overall rates of
Edit (/edit/supplements zinc deficiency are significantly less than other vitamins or minerals of concern /Zinc/) History (/history (such as Vitamin D (/supplements/Vitamin+D/)) and it is wholly possible to /Zinc/) Discussion consume enough zinc via the diet (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

Zinc is lost during sweat and exercise[21][22] and may be a contributing factor to why testosterone levels seem to be depressed after exhaustive exercise.[23][24]
Excessive sweating over a prolonged period of time (seen in athletes) may predispose athletes to zinc deficiencies

In diabetic individuals (following information seems to apply equally to type I and type II diabetics), urinary zinc excretion rates are increased[25][26][27] and although serum zinc concentrations are unreliably influenced (increased,[25][28] decreased,[29][30][31] or not different from non-diabetic
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controls[32])

cellular concentrations of zinc as measured in immune cells

SUMMARY reduced relative to nondiabetic controls.[29][33][30] THINGS TO KNOW Diabetics (both type I and type II) appear to be at higher risk for zinc deficiencies than do non-diabetic persons HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' THOUGHTS FAQ Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Pharmacology) 2. Pharmacology HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX 2.1. Absorption COMPLETE The regulation of bodily zinc levels tends to occur at the level of the SUMMARY intestines secondary to regulated absorption and fecal excretion[34][35] and CITATIONS [34]
in instances of zinc deficiency intestinal absorption can near 100%. deficiency and is attenuated with sufficiency.[36][37][38] This has been replicated in humans where zinc absorption during instances of

(mononuclear cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes and leucocytes) tend to be

Quick Summary: At least one animal study has suggested that dysregulation occurs with
Zinc is anintestinal essential zinc mineral (/supplements

absorption during aging, and adequate dietary intake may in

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a

turn be metabolically insufficient due to poorer absorption.[39] Absorption of zinc tends to be regulated, with higher oral intakes being

large amount of enzymes associated with lower bioavailability and approximately 5mg absorbed in in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and postmenopausal women regardless of dietary or supplemental intake.[40] immune boosting supplement, and is most 2.2. Serum commonly supplemented to reduce In theotherwise frequency healthy men supplemented with zinc, fasting plasma of sickness and to concentrations can increase within five days of supplementation regardless support optimal [41] testosterone levels.

of baseline zinc status.

10mg and 20mg elemental zinc (syrup) were

equivalent in their ability to heighten plasma zinc levels, and were normalized two weeks after zinc supplementation.[41]
Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

3. Neurology
3.1. Distribution

Edit (/e dit-section/suppleme nts/Zinc/?section=Neurology)

Zinc, as a trace mineral, is present in the cerebral cortex, pineal gland, and hippocampus where it acts as an atypical neuromodulator.[42][43][44] In the hippocampus, particularly the vesicles of mossy fibers, zinc can reach concentrations of 220-300M which is around 8% of total brain zinc[45] (concentrations of free zinc are more modest at 1-20M[46][47]) and is sensitive to prolonged (but not acute) zinc deficiency,[48] while in the pineal gland it may regulate the response of this organ to leptin.[49] Similar to most neuromodulators, zinc is released from the synapse upon action potentials.[50]
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Zinc is an endogenous neuromodulator that is present in high concentrations in the hippocampus and pineal gland, and is released from the synapse upon SUMMARY actions potentials

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

THINGS TO KNOW 3.2. Glutaminergic Neurotransmission HOW TO TAKE Zinc ions have been reported to be NMDA receptor antagonists.[51] EDITORS' THOUGHTS Zinc may also activate neuronal potassium channels and reduce glutamate FAQ release into the synapse.[52] HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Zinc ions appear to be antiglutaminergic modulators, able to reduce the release of glutamate and its signalling through glutaminergic receptors COMPLETE SUMMARY 3.3. Ischemia and Hypoxia CITATIONS
Despite its importance in the brain, high concentrations of zinc can be excitotoxic[53] and this is sometimes seen in ischemic injury where an

Quick excess amount of zinc is released from the synapse and mediates cell Summary: death[53][54] and infarctions.[55] This is why zinc chelators are therapeutic in
Zinc is aninstances essential mineral (/supplements

of stroke rehabilitation.[56]

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Although involved in regulating a likely not reflective of supplementation (unless abnormally high doses of large amount zinc of enzymes are ingested), zinc may be a mediator of cell death when ischemia or in the body. Ithypoxia is known occur as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most 3.4. Depression commonly supplemented

and Mood Disorders

to reduce Depressed the frequency patients appear to have reduced circulating zinc concentrations of sickness and to [57] in serum which is further reduced in treatment resistant persons relative support optimal to treatment non-resistant (treatment being imipramine)[58] and the testosterone levels. [59][60]

magnitude of zinc deficiency correlating with severity of depression. Overall, persons with depression seem to usually have lower zinc

Edit (/edit/supplements concentrations /Zinc/) History (/history

in serum and the worse the symptoms of depression the

lower the /Zinc/) Discussion

zinc concentration tends to be. the depressive[61] and behavioural symptoms (increased

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top At least in rats, (http://examine.com susceptability /supplements/Zinc/)

to stress[62]) that are seen with two weeks of zinc deprivation

are normalized upon supplemetnation of zinc. Interestingly, deprivation of zinc causes rats to be resistant to fluoxetine (SSRI) therapy.[61]
Serum zinc concentrations and zinc status are negatively correlated with the risk of developing depression, and in persons who are depressed zinc status is further negatively correlated with the severity of depression

Zinc has been reported to noncompetitively inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) with an IC50 of 15M.[63] As GSK3 is a molecular target of mood disorders[64] and mood disorders being associated with
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alterations in zinc metabolism potential role in its treatment.

[65]

supplementation is thought to have a

[17]

SUMMARY THINGS TO Zinc is an endogenous inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3, which is KNOW involved in mood disorders and depression HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' In otherwise healthy young women given 7mg of elemental zinc in a THOUGHTS multivitamin format (placebo given the same multivitamin), depressive and FAQ aggressive symptoms were modestly but significantly reduced relative to [66] HUMAN placebo. EFFECT This modest benefit to mood has failed to occur in healthy elderly perosns (70-87yrs) given 15-30mg zinc as assessed by POMS.[67] MATRIX COMPLETE In persons given imipramine but were resistant to treatment, SUMMARY supplementation of 25mg elemental zinc for twelve weeks is able to reduce CITATIONS depressive symptoms relative to placebo to the levels seen with
non-resistant persons as assessed by BDI, HAMD, and CGI.[68]

Quick Zinc appears to be notably effective in treatment resistant depression alongside Summary: other pharmaceuticals, although it does not seem to inhernetly have an effect in
depression that is responsive to treatment. The per se antidepressant effects of Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements zinc supplementation in persons without treated depression are modest at best
/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of Appetite enzymes 3.5. in the body. It is known as A deficiency of an antioxidant and

zinc is known to be a cause of anorexia (reduction of

immune boosting appetite, not the same as anorexia nervosa), and is usually the first supplement, and is most of a zinc deficiency[69] and is shortly followed by depressive commonlysymptom supplemented to reduce symptoms the frequency and anhedonia.[70] of sickness and to support optimal

Zinc deficiencies are known to reduce appetite, and this is usually the first testosterone levels. symptom of a zinc deficiency

Edit (/edit/supplements In rats, orally /Zinc/) History (/history

supplemented zinc (19mcg/kg) appears to stimulate food

intake and /Zinc/) Discussion

this effect was not observed with other bivalent cations.[71] zinc seem ineffective,[71] even in deficient rats.[72]

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back Injections of to Top (http://examine.com Oral zinc /supplements/Zinc/)

appears to stimulate the vagal nerve (effects abolished by which then increase mRNA translation of the two appetite

vagotomy[71])

stimulating neural factors orexin and neuropeptide Y (also abolished by antagonists of these receptors[71]). Zinc is known to activate the GPR39 receptor (a Ghrelin receptor)[73] and since ghrelin is known to stimulate these two neural fators via the vagus nerve[74][75] it is thought that this receptor is the molecular target of zinc.
Zinc appears to positively influence appetite in rats who are not zinc deficient, and this may be related to activating a receptor (GPR39) that is involved in ghrelin signalling

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3.6. Attention
In children with ADHD, 30mg elemental zinc daily for 13 weeks (final five SUMMARY weeks THINGS TO used alongside D-amphetamine) was able to reduce the amount of KNOW D-amphetamine that was needed by 37% and reduced affective blunting from 21% (placebo with amphetamine) to 11%; however, zinc HOW TO TAKE supplementation inherently failed to benefit symptoms of ADHD.[76] EDITORS' THOUGHTS While zinc at 30mg elemental zinc appears to be slightly effective as an addition FAQ to D-amphetamine therapy, it does not appear to inhernetly have a significant HUMAN EFFECT therapeutic benefit MATRIX COMPLETE 3.7. Obsession SUMMARY Obsessive compulsive disorder is known to at least be associated with CITATIONS glutaminergic abnormalities, particular an excessive level of synaptic glutamate and signalling thereof[77][78] which positively correlates with

Quick implicated in treating OCD[80] and zinc has the potential to be Summary:
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

symptom severity.[79] As glutamate antagonists have been previously anti-glutaminergic, it is investigated for possible benefits. The addition of zinc (220mg twice daily) to fluoxetine therapy (20mg) for disorder is able to reduce symptoms of OCD as although the benefits were present

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) obsessive involved in regulating a compulsive

large amount of enzymes assessed by the Y-BOCS rating scale, in the body. It is known as at weeks two and eight but not 4-6.[81] an antioxidant and

immune boosting 3.8. Memory and Cognition supplement, and is most commonlyZinc supplemented is known to be highly concentrated to reduce the frequency deficiency of zinc of sickness and to support optimal impaired memory testosterone levels.

in the hippocampus[42][45] and a

is associated with both mood disorders as well as formation.[82]

In instances of severe zinc deficiency in rats, supplementation of zinc is able to normalize the impairment in memory formation.[82]
Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

Zinc deficiency is associated with impaired memory formation, and supplementation of zinc to normalize bodily stores is associated with improved (/discussion/Zinc/) Back memory to Top
(http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

In persons who experienced subacute stroke and had suboptimal dietary intake of zinc (6.6mg or less), supplementation of 10mg elemental zinc was associated with greater improvements than placebo on cognition as assessed by the NIH stroke scale after 30 days.[83]
In persons who suffered from stroke and have inadequate dietary intake, cognitive improvements following stroke appear to be accelerated relative to placebo

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4. Cardiovascular

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Cardiovascular+Health)

SUMMARY Health THINGS TO KNOW 4.1. Artherosclerosis HOW TO TAKE Zinc is thought to be an anti-artherogenic agent[84] and in particular a zinc EDITORS' deficiency is thought to be a risk factor for artherogenesis with THOUGHTS supplementation alleviating this risk.[85] Dietary zinc intake is known to be FAQ inversely associated with artherosclerotic buildup in arteries.[86] HUMAN EFFECT In otherwise healthy elderly persons (higher risk of zinc deficiency), MATRIX supplementation of 45mg elemental zinc daily (as gluconate) daily for six COMPLETE months is associated with reductions in cell adhesion factors (ICAM-1 and SUMMARY vCAM-1) and inflammatory cytokines including C-reactive protein, IL-6, and CITATIONS [87]
MCP-1.
Normalizing a zinc deficiency appears to be assoiated with a reduced risk for

Quick arterial plaque buildup (artherosclerosis) Summary:


Zinc is an essential 4.2. Lipoproteins mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Supplementation involved in regulating a

and Triglycerides

of 20mg elemental zinc in obese insulin resistant children is associated with a reduction in total cholesterol and

over weeks large amount of eight enzymes in the body. It is known [88] as LDL-C. an antioxidant and

immune boosting Oxidized LDL-C appears to be reduced when insulin resistant children are supplement, and is most 20mg elemental zinc for eight weeks, possibly secondary to reducing commonlygiven supplemented [88] to reduce the frequency

the state of insulin resistance.

of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

5.
Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Interactions+with+Glucose+Metabolism)

Interactions with Glucose Metabolism


5.1. Glycogen
been noted to, in vitro in liver cells, to increase the activity of glycogen synthase 2-fold secondary to its inhibition of GSK-3 (IC50

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top 20M zinc has (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/) 15M).[63]

Due to inhibiting GSK-3, zinc can increase the activity of glycogen synthesis

5.2. Insulin
Zinc has been reported to act via the insulin receptor[89] and phosphorylate Akt in vitro, which is downstream of the insulin receptor.[30] The inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) that occurs with zinc[63] is able to preserve insulin signalling, as GSK3 is a negative regulator of insulin
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signalling via IRS-1.

[90]

Zinc can augment uptake of glucose into cells that

SUMMARY THINGS TO Zinc may positively influence insulin signalling via preventing a negative regulator KNOW (GSK3) from suppressing insulin signalling. This seems to occur at low enough concentrations that it is physiologically relevant HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' 5.3. Diabetes THOUGHTS FAQ In diabetic individuals (following information seems to apply equally to type HUMAN I and EFFECT type II diabetics), urinary zinc excretion rates are increased[25][26][27] and although serum zinc concentrations are unreliably influenced MATRIX (increased,[25][28] decreased,[29][30][31] or not different from non-diabetic COMPLETE controls[32]) cellular concentrations of zinc as measured in immune cells SUMMARY (mononuclear cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes and leucocytes) tend to be CITATIONS
reduced relative to nondiabetic controls.[29][33][30] Beyond measuring zinc concentrations themselves (as serum markers are

express insulin-sensitive GLUT4, but not other GLUT transporters.[63]

Quick not thought to be overly reliable for subclinical deficiencies[91]), a sensitive Summary: [92]
biomarker for zinc deficiency (Ecto 5' nucleotidase diabetic persons relative to control.[93] ) is also known to be
Zinc is an essential reduced in mineral (/supplements

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Three weeks of supplementation involved in regulating a

with 30mg elemental zinc (glycine to at least partially restore a zinc

large amount of enzymes chelation) appears to be sufficient in the body. It is known as deficiency in diabetics.[93] an antioxidant and

immune boosting supplement, and is mostsomewhat unreliable in plasma measurements, it is more likely than not Although commonly supplemented that persons with diabetes (both type I and type II) are at an increased risk for to reduce the zinc frequency deficiency which can be remedied fairly rapidly with zinc supplementation of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

In obese insulin resistant children (who were likely deficient in zinc) given 20mg elemental zinc for eight weeks supplementation was associated with a betterment of all biomarkers of glucose metabolism including blood reduction), fasting insulin (23% reduction), and insulin in a replication.[94] sensitivity as assessed by HOMA-IR (31% improvement)[88] which has been

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history glucose (7% /Zinc/) Discussion

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top reported elsewhere (http://examine.com

In diabetics /supplements/Zinc/)

who have been confirmed to have adequate stores of zinc,

further supplementation of high dose zinc (240mg elemental zinc as gluconate) for three months has failed to have any appreciable benefit.[95]
In diabetics or insulin resistant persons who are deficient in zinc can help normalize parameters of glucose metabolism including glucose, insulin, and sensitivity to insulin; if the same persons are already sufficient in zinc, further supplementation has no additional benefit

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6. Immunology

Edit (/e dit-section/suppleme nts/Zinc/?section=Immunology+and+Inflammation)

SUMMARY and THINGS TO Inflammation KNOW 6.1. Tumor Necrosis Factor HOW TO TAKE Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) is a cytokine that is reduced in states EDITORS' of zinc deficiency (restored upon zinc replenishment[96]). THOUGHTS FAQ Ex vivo production of TNF from macrophages in elderly persons who supplemented 45mg elemental zinc for a year appears to be reduced.[97] HUMAN EFFECT 6.2. Interleukins MATRIX COMPLETE IL-2 is known to be decreased with zinc deficiency[96] and restored upon SUMMARY replenishment.[96] CITATIONS
Ex vivo production of IL-2 (assessed by the induction of IL-2 mRNA from stimulated immune cells) is increased with supplementation of zinc at 45mg for a year, despite basal concentrations of IL-2 being unaffected.[97]

Quick Summary: 6.3. T-Cells

Zinc is an essential Zinc deficiency mineral (/supplements

is known to lead to a reduced count of T-cells and humoral and cell-mediated immunity.[98]

subsequently depressed /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a

6.4. and URTIs large amount of Rhinovirus enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and Rhinovirus is known as the common cold, and URTI is the acronym for 'Upper immune boosting respitatory tract infection' supplement, and is most commonly supplemented
to reduce the frequency A meta-analysis of 15 trials including 1360 persons overall of sickness and to in the form of lozenges (gluconate) or syrup (sulfate), was support optimal testosterone levels. less duration

noted that zinc, associated with

and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours

of onset that, after a week, had an odds ratio of 0.45 (less than half the risk).[99] Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history
/Zinc/) Discussion High dose zinc in response to the common cold (not taken preventatively, but (/discussion/Zinc/) Back only at the onset of sickness) appears to be effective in reducing the duration to Top and severity of sickness (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

Supplementation of 45mg zinc in elderly persons (with lower zinc concentrations in serum relative to young controls) for a year is associated with a reduced rate of upper respiratory tract infections (50% reduction that failed to be significant) and general infections (88% occurrence reduced to 29%).[97] Prolonged supplementation of zinc over five months is associated with a reduced incidence of sickness (RR 0.64) although with a high variability.[99]

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Supplementation of zinc daily as a preventative appears to reduce the rate of getting colds

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW 6.5. Pneumonia In children HOW TO TAKE with acute pneumonia, 10-20mg elemental zinc (as acetate syrup) over two weeks failed to outperform placebo in reducing the length EDITORS' of sickness.[100] THOUGHTS FAQ In studies where zinc is used by itself (monotherapy) in response to pneumonia, HUMAN EFFECT it seems to usually fail to outperform placebo MATRIX COMPLETE Supplementation of zinc at 20mg as adjuvant therapy (alongside SUMMARY antibiotics) was effective in further reducing recovery time in children under CITATIONS
two years old with very severe pneumonia, but due to having no effect in severe pneumonia and the benefit in very severe being lost when

Quick controlling for underweight children the authors concluded no significant overall effect of treatment.[101] Other studies using the same dose that Summary:
between severe and nonsevere pneumonia note a failure of Zinc is andifferentiate essential mineral (/supplements zinc therapy outright relative to placebo[102][103][104] or that the beneficial
/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) effects were insignificant involved in regulating a

(statistically and clinically).[105] Although most

evidence suggests a lack of efficacy, there is some counter evidence with large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as the same protocol noting efficacy in reducing the length of sickness for an antioxidant and severe pneumonia[106] and a study that noted a failure overall with zinc immune boosting supplement, and is most supplementation did report reduced mortality with severe pneumonia commonly supplemented [104]
to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal When zinc is used as an adjuvant (alongside another drug, with the placebo testosterone levels. group given the drug in isolation), it still appears to be mostly ineffective against

(which mostly protected children with HIV).

pneumonia
Edit (/edit/supplements The usage /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

of zinc as a preventative for two weeks (10-20mg elemental zinc the following six months.[107]

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top measured over (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

daily) was unable to influence the occurrence of pneumonia in children

Limited evidence on the usage of zinc as preventative for pneumonia has failed to find a protective effect

6.6. Virology
Adults with diagnosed HIV appear to be at greater relative risk for zinc deficiencies at up to 50%[108][109][110] and those who are deficient seem to have faster disease progression[111][112] and mortality;[113] a dietary surplus of zinc also appears to be associated with negative effects in this cohort, specifically an increased disease progression rate to AIDS.[114]
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In HIV positive adults with confirmed low plasma zinc concentrations

SUMMARY supplementation was associated with a four-fold reduced risk of THINGS TO immunological failure relative to placebo without affecting viral load[115] and KNOW has elsewhere been associated with significantly less opportunistic HOW TO TAKE regardless of whether or not subjects were on antiretroviral infections EDITORS' therapy.[116] THOUGHTS In children diagnosed with HIV who also experience severe pneumonia, FAQ supplementation of zinc appears to be effective in reducing mortality (7 HUMAN EFFECT deaths in control and none noted with zinc at 20mg daily for seven MATRIX days).[104] COMPLETE SUMMARY Zinc appears to be more likely to be deficient in persons with HIV, and while low doses are seen as protective higher doses exceeding the tolerable upper limit CITATIONS
(TUL) might also be adverse. It is recommended to low-ball zinc supplementation at 10-15mg elemental zinc

(0.75g/mL or less) given 12-15mg elemental zinc daily for 18 months, zinc

Quick Summary:
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a

7. Interactions with Oxidation

Edit (/e dit-section/suppleme nts/Zinc/?section=Interactions+with+Oxidation)

large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as 7.1. Interventions an antioxidant and

immune boosting In a study dividing athletes and sedentary persons into a zinc supplement supplement, and is most zinc sulfate daily), both athletic and sedentary persons given zinc commonly(5mg/kg supplemented to reduce experienced the frequency a reduction in levels of lipid peroxidation of sickness and to and an increase in levels of the enzymes glutathione support optimal [117] SOD. testosterone levels.

relative to placebo peroxidase and

Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

8. Interactions with Hormones

Edit (/e dit-section/suppleme nts/Zinc/?section=Interactions+with+Hormones)

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top /supplements/Zinc/)

(http://examine.com 8.1. Testosterone

Bodily zinc stores are positively associated with serum testosterone[118][119] and increased urinary excretion negatively associated (as well as Magnesium (/supplements/Magnesium/)).[120] Zinc deficiency is also associated with an impairment of converting cholesterol and lipid precursors into sex hormones despite testicular cell uptake being unaffected[121] and other side-effects associated with zinc deficiency include the population of androgen receptors being reduced overall (59% of control)[122] and in male sex organs (36% of control);[123] this may be related to how the androgen receptors have a zinc binding

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site,

[124]

and their functionality is impaired without adequate zinc.

SUMMARY A zinc deficiency can reduce the expression of androgen receptors and the THINGS TO synthesis of testosterone in cells, both of which reduce the overall effects of KNOW testosterone HOW TO TAKE When looking at rat studies that are not models of deficiency, zinc EDITORS' supplementation is able to increase circulating testosterone and free THOUGHTS [125] and oral intake of 20mg/kg zinc FAQ testosterone when injected at 3mg/kg chloride has increased testosterone to levels higher than baseline in HUMAN EFFECT rats.[126] MATRIX COMPLETE Some animal research suggests that high doses of zinc (or moderate doses of SUMMARY injections) can increase circulating testosterone concentrations CITATIONS
In human studies of zinc deficiency supplementation of zinc is able to

Quick increase circulating testosterone concentrations, with this study noting that 250mg zinc sulfate for six weeks is able to increase testosterone by 84% Summary:
Zinc is an(1.55nM/dL essential mineral (/supplements

to 2.96nM/dL) in persons on hemodialysis.[127]

Infertile men who also have low testosterone (less than 4.8ng/mL) /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a an increase in testosterone following zinc supplementation, experience
large amount of enzymes this is not observed in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and

but

in men with normal testosterone levels.

[128]

immune boosting In human instances of zinc deficiency, relatively modest supplemental dosages supplement, and is most appear to be able to increase circulating testosterone concentrations commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to Supplementation support optimal

of ZMA in persons with an adequate zinc intake in the to significantly increase circulating testosterone or and this failure to increase basal testosterone

diet (11.9-23.2mg) failed testosterone levels. [1] free testosterone


Edit (/edit/supplements 3mg/kg zinc /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion

concentrations is also seen with 15mg elemental zinc in cyclists[129] and sulfate in elite wrestlers.[130]

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top increase in free (http://examine.com in men who /supplements/Zinc/)

When measuring testosterone acutely following exercise, there is a slight testosterone associated with zinc supplementation at 15mg are not otherwise deficient[129] and the decrease in

testosterone and free testosterone that may occur with exhaustive exercise is attenuated with zinc sulphate supplementation at 3mg/kg in elite wrestlers[130] and in sedentary men subject to cycling.[131]
In men who are not deficient in zinc, there can be a preservation (not necessarily increase) in zinc concentrations when combined with strenous exercise. If exercise is not a factor, then zinc doesn't appear to have any influence on testosterone

8.2. Dehydrotestosterone (DHT)


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Zinc is thought to reduce DHT secondary to inhibition of 5-reductase

SUMMARY although concentrations as low as 500M are minimially effective THINGS TO [132] It is synergistic with vitamin B6 in this regard despite B6 not (30%). KNOW possessing any inherent inhibitory properties, which may explain the HOW TO TAKE of ZMA (/supplements/ZMA/). formulation EDITORS' Injections of 10-20mg zinc (gluconate and arginine included in the weights THOUGHTS here) into the prostate of rats has noted inhibitory effects on 5-reductase FAQ (50.48% at 20mg)[133] although a study in human prostate tissue in vitro HUMAN EFFECT noted that low concentrations (300nM) increased activity of this enzyme MATRIX while higher concentrations (3mM) were potently inhibitory.[134] COMPLETE When looking at the subdivisions of 5-reductase, the type I variant is SUMMARY effectively inhibited in skin cells with an IC50 of 2M while it is fairly CITATIONS
ineffective on type II[135] and in these tissues it is still synergistic with B6.[132]

(converts testosterone to DHT) in the 3-15mM range (up to 98% inhibition),

Quick Zinc appears to be a 5-reductase inhibitor, and in vitro appears to be fairly Summary:
Zinc is an essential since low concentrations actually increase enzyme activity (with higher mineral (/supplements

potent. It is not sure if this is relevant following oral supplementation though,

concentrations being potent in inhibiting the enzyme) and these high /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) concentrations may not occur in the body involved in regulating a
large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as In infertile men, an antioxidant and

regardless of whether circulating testosterone was above zinc was

immune boosting or below the predetermined threshold (4.8ng/mL) supplemental supplement, and is most to increase circulating concentrations of DHT.[128] commonlyable supplemented

to reduce the frequency of sickness and to In infertile men, an increase in DHT is noted which suggests that the lower support optimal testosterone levels.

concentration of zinc (which increases the activity of the 5-reductase enzyme) is more relevant

Edit (/edit/supplements 8.3. Estrogen /Zinc/) History (/history

A zinc deficiency /Zinc/) Discussion

in rats is associated with an increased expression of (57%)[122]

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back estrogen receptors to Top (http://examine.com 8.4. Insulin-like /supplements/Zinc/) [136][93]

Growth Factors

IGF-1

and IGFBP3[136] are reduced in persons experiencing a

dietary zinc deficiency, which is normalized upon supplementation. An increase in IGF-1 has been noted in elderly persons given 30mg zinc supplementation daily for four weeks, where the 22.4+/-4.7% increase seen with a Whey Protein (/supplements/Whey+Protein/) supplement was boosted to 48.2+/-14%.[137]

8.5. Leptin
Leptin is known to interact with zinc at the level of the pineal gland [49] and may mediate its actions.[138] A zinc deficiency is known to reduce leptin
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production and secretion from rats


[140]

adipocytes[139]

which has been detected in

SUMMARY THINGS TO A zinc deficiency is associated with reduced production and secretion of leptin KNOW HOW TO TAKE Leptin secretion can be positively influenced by insulin[141] although as EDITORS' zinc repletion does not influence insulin[96] this is not thought to be a THOUGHTS mechanism of action. TNF- and interleukin-2 (IL-2) have both been found FAQ to be increased when a zinc deficient person has their zinc status [96] HUMAN EFFECT restored and these factors are known to induce leptin expression.[142] MATRIX IL-2 itself is zinc dependent,[143] and it is thought that the influence on COMPLETE leptin couldl also be indirect via these two molecules. SUMMARY The interaction of zinc and leptin may have other proteins (TNF- and CITATIONS
interleukin-2) as mediators

and humans.

[96]

Quick In men with marginal zinc deficiency (restricted to about 5mg daily for 4+/-2 Summary: months), supplementation of 30-60mg elemental zinc (as acetate) daily for
Zinc is an essential 6-12 weeks mineral (/supplements

is associated with a 64% increase in leptin relative to the

deficient state.[96] /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a


large amount of enzymes Supplementation of zinc to a deficient person is able to increase circulating leptin in the body. It is known as concentrations an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

9. Interactions with Aesthetics


9.1. Skin

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Inte ractions+with+Aesthetics)

Edit (/edit/supplements Supplementation /Zinc/) History (/history [144] /Zinc/) Discussion

of zinc is sometimes recommended for the treatment of relative to controls[145][146][147] and thought to be related

acne,

in part since serum levels of zinc are usually lower in persons

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back with severe acne to Top

to the ability of zinc to reduce chemotaxis of immune cells to the (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/) skin[148][149] and possible its 5-reductase inhibiting potential. 600mg zinc sulphate (138mg elemental zinc) over a period of six weeks in persons with acne appears to reduce symptoms by about a third, which was modestly but significantly more active than placebo.[150] This was later replicated with the same dose over 12 weeks with efficacy,[151] and an increase in serum Vitamin A was associated with zinc. Later studies have confirmed efficacy with zinc gluconate (30mg elemental zinc) with a potency lesser than the reference drug minocycline as the amount of participants that met the primary end-point in the study (two
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thirds symptom reduction) was 31.2% and 63.4% for zinc and minocycline,

SUMMARY elsewhere.[153] THINGS TO KNOW Zinc is known to be circulating at lower levels in persons with acne relative to those without, and it is thought to be therapeutic by reducing the migration of HOW TO TAKE immune cells to the skin and possibly reducing the effects of androgens on the EDITORS' skin. Trials using zinc for acne control note that standard to high supplemental THOUGHTS dosages have a modest protective effect FAQ HUMAN EFFECT In response to viral warts from human papilloma virus (HPV), an open-label MATRIX study using zinc sulfate at doses of 10mg/kg up to a maximum dose of COMPLETE 600mg/kg (132mg elemental zinc) over two months has found that half of SUMMARY the participants experienced complete resolution of their warts and CITATIONS remained free of warts and lesions when followed up at six months.[154]
This has been noted elsewhere with recalcitrant viral warts in response to the same dose of oral supplementation[155] and topical zinc sulphate (42.8-85.7% resolution).

respectively.[152] Efficacy with low dose zinc has been reported

Quick (5-10% of solution) also appears to be effective but to a greater degree Summary: [156]
Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements Warts that

are not originated from a virus (common warts) have also noted application of zinc, but to a much lesser degree (5-11% sulphate solution).[156]

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) benefit with topical involved in regulating a

with large amount of 5-10% enzymes zinc in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and

immune boosting reducing supplement, and is mostviral warts, based on some preliminary evidence. The benefits may persist for a prolonged period of time after supplementation is ceased, and commonly supplemented

2 months supplementation of very high dose zinc appears to be very effective in

zinc also appears effective at high concentrations. Non-viral warts are not to reduce the topical frequency of sickness and asto potently suppressed support optimal
testosterone levels.

Rosacea is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by inflammatory eruption of the flush area of the face, usually manifesting as erythema
Edit (/edit/supplements (reddening) /Zinc/) History (/history

and a thickening of the skin resulting in phyma (overgrowth of

sebaceous /Zinc/) Discussion

glands).[157] sulfate thrice daily in persons with rosacea has been noted

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top 100mg of zinc (http://examine.com to reduce /supplements/Zinc/)

symptoms of rosacea, although this study lacked a washout

period between periods of the trial [158] and a later double blind to address this using 220mg zinc sulfate (50.8mg elemental zinc) twice daily for three months failed to find a significant effect.[159]
The human evidence in support of zinc as therapy for rosacea is currently small and mixed. While inefficacy of zinc in this role cannot yet be claimed, the evidence does not support usage of zinc for therapy of rosacea

50mg elemental zinc in psorasis patients thrice daily for six weeks is able to restore impaired chemotaxis of neutrophils.[148]
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Topical zinc pyrithione has been reported (case studies) to improve

SUMMARY (0.25% zinc pyrithione) to persons with psoriasis twice daily for three THINGS TO reported improvements in induration, erythema, and scaling with a months KNOW mean 70.5% reduction in symptoms as assessed by PASI.[161] HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' Limited evidence suggests that topical zinc pyrithione is highly effective for the treatment of psoriasis THOUGHTS FAQ HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?se ction=Interactions+with+Organ+Systems) 10. COMPLETE SUMMARY Interactions with Organ Systems CITATIONS
10.1. Tongue and Mouth
Reductions in taste acuity are among the first noticeable signs of zinc

symptoms of psoriasis[160] and subsequently a trial using this formulation

Quick deficiency, usually alongside anorexia (loss of appetite) and impairment in Summary: [162]
cognition. This is likely because of a zinc-dependent enzyme, gustin, supplemental zinc.[164]
Zinc is an essential being reduced mineral (/supplements

in activity when salivary zinc is low[163] and this condition is

easily treated with /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a

Adolescents large amount of enzymes given zinc supplements over the course of ten weeks have in the body. It is known as to experience increases in taste acuity as assessed by been noted an antioxidant and [165]
immune boosting (adolescent supplement, and is most girls in [166][167] commonly supplemented

recognition thresholds for salt was improved; 58.3-65%

these subjects

India) usually have zinc deficiency rates around

and thus the observed effects could be from normalizing

to reduce the frequency a deficiency. of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels. Zinc deficiency is associated with impaired taste, and supplementation of zinc is

able to enhance taste acuity when it is normalizing a deficiency


Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History Loss(/history of taste /Zinc/) Discussion

associated with chemotherapy does not appear to be

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back [168] to Top zinc) twice daily. (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

rehabilitated with supplementation of 220mg zinc sulfate (50mg elemental

Taste losses (hypogeusia) associated with chemotherapy does not appear to be influenced with oral zinc supplementation, while altered perception of taste (dysgeusia) has mixed evidence (covered in the cancer section)

In low socioeconomic children at risk for zinc deficiency, 15mg elemental zinc daily for ten weeks is associated with reduced plaque formation on teeth.[169]
May reduce dental caries, if normalizing a zinc deficiency; limited evidence

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10.2. Stomach
Zinc chloride appears to be capable of preventing secretagogue-induced SUMMARY acid secretion in rat and human stomach tissue,[170] which although THINGS TO [171] KNOW therapeutic for the stomach may limit its own subsequent absorption. HOW TO TAKE 10.3. Liver EDITORS' Trace minerals appear to be altered in their concentrations in the cirrhotic THOUGHTS liver and serum, with a known decrease in zinc[172][173] and increase in FAQ copper[173][174] relative to healthy controls; the deficiency in zinc appears to HUMAN EFFECT positively correlate with disease progression.[175] MATRIX In persons with liver cirrhosis, supplementation of 50mg elemental zinc (as COMPLETE sulfate) daily for 90 days is associated with improvements in cirrhotic state SUMMARY as assessed by Child-Pugh score (6.56 down to 5.72; 13% improvement) CITATIONS [176] which was associated with less bodily copper levels.

Quick Summary: Intestines Zinc is an10.4. essential


mineral (/supplements

Supplementation of zinc may be slightly therapeutic in instances of liver cirrhosis

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) alleviating involved in regulating a leaky gut

Very high levels of zinc intake (330mg daily) has been implicated in syndrome in those with Crohn's Disease.[177] It can

large amount of prevent enzymes or alleviate damage to the intestinal mucosa and some to the also in the body. It is known as liver done by alcohol[178][179][180] and due to alcohol causing zinc depletion, an antioxidant and immune boosting can also provide therapeutic-like benefit in treating supplement, and is most damage to the gut and liver.[181][182] Many of these commonly supplemented

alcohol-induced effects were noted as

dependent, to reduce dose the frequency of sickness and to high dose). support optimal
testosterone levels. 10.5. Ears

but were seen at 3-5mg/kg bodyweight (an incredibly

Zinc deficiency is associated with impaired hearing in mice and rats, which
Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History may (/history be related /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back [185] to Top stessors (http://examine.com component /supplements/Zinc/)

is normalized upon consuming enough dietary levels of zinc.[183][184] This to relatively high concentrations of zinc in some ear structures (cochlea and vestibule) where it exerts protective effects from possibly related to its role as a neuromodulator or as a of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase;[186] the latter of which is

known to be protective of hearing.[187] It has been hypothesized that zinc could be useful in the treatment of tinnitus,[188][186] although while some evidence suggests that persons with tinnitus are at higher rates of deficiency[189][190] other studies have failed to find an association.[191] At least one study has noted that 50mg zinc supplementation daily for two months is able to reduce the severity of tinnitus in 82% of patients given the supplement, with no significant reduction seen in placebo.[189]

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The evidence is currently preliminary and only one trial has been conducted, but high dose zinc supplementation may potentially have a therapeutic role for SUMMARY tinnitus

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

THINGS TO KNOW In persons with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden HOW TO TAKE hearing loss from unknown causes), the addition of zinc (gluconate) to oral EDITORS' corticosterone therapy was associated with a greater improvement in THOUGHTS hearing than corticosterone alone.[192] FAQ HUMAN EFFECT The addition of zinc supplementation to corticosteroids appears to accelerate the MATRIX recovery of hearing after sudden idiopathic hearing loss COMPLETE SUMMARY 10.6. Testes CITATIONS
Zinc deficiency is known to cause testicular apoptosis (regulated cell death,[193] which tends to happen in many tissue types with zinc deficiency[194][195]) and increases protein oxidation in the testes while

Quick dysregulating the activity of 3- and 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Summary:


enzymes[196] and other proteins[197] ultimately resulting in a degeneration Zinc is an essential of testicular structures (seminiferous tubules and leydig cells),[198] impaired mineral (/supplements
/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) testosterone secretion involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known alongside as damaged an antioxidant and [199][200][201]

from the testes, and a reduction in fertility as sperm

morphology and properties (such as motility) become progressively increasing testicular oxidation and apoptosis.

immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented A zinc deficiency is associated with wide-reaching impairment of testicular to reduce the function frequency including reduced testosterone synthesis and secretion, impaired fertility of sickness and to sperm parameters, and increased rates of cell death and support optimal testosterone levels.

Orally supplemented zinc to research animals is able to reduce oxidative damage to the testicles (and the subsequent reduction in fertility markers)
Edit (/edit/supplements induced by /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion (/discussion/Zinc/) Back Supplemental zinc may reduce the damage done by oxidative stressors to the to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Zinc/)

cigarette smoke (20mg/kg zinc chloride).[126]

testes in rodents that are not inhernetly deficient in zinc

In infertile men, supplementation of zinc can increase sperm count only in men who also have low testosterone concentrations in their blood; this is associated with an increase in fertility, and not observed in men who are infertile with adequate testosterone concentrations.[128]

11.

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Interactions+with+Cance r+Metabolism)

Interactions with Cancer Metabolism


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11.1. Adjuvant Therapies


In persons given radiotherapy (for cancer treatment), 50mg zinc sulfate SUMMARY thrice THINGS TO daily with meals failed to reduce the development of oral mucositis or [202] which are common side-effects of radiotherapy to the head KNOW pharyngitis and neck region.[203] Other studies have noted a failure of 220mg zinc HOW TO TAKE sulfate (50mg elemental zinc) twice daily in reducing severity or occurrence EDITORS' of mucositis.[204] THOUGHTS FAQ Some evidence does support a benefit for zinc supplementation in HUMAN EFFECT reducing the severity (but not incidence) or oral mucositis with 50mg elemental zinc (as sulfate) thrice daily alongside chemotherapy[205] or MATRIX radiotherapy.[206] COMPLETE SUMMARY The development of mucositis during radiotherapy and chemotherapy is CITATIONS
unreliably treated with zinc supplementation

Quick Alterations in taste (Dysgeusia) and smell (Dysosmia) commonly occur Summary: during chemotherapy[207] which are known to be associated with reductions
Zinc is anin essential food intake mineral (/supplements [208]

(compounding cancer cachexia) and reduced quality of carbonic anhydrase VI which is a growth factor for

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) of the salivary enzyme involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes [209]

life.

Zinc is thought to be useful for this condition as it is a component if the ageusia is caused form cell death then increasing may be therapeutic, and in persons with carbonic

sensory cells;

in the body. It is known as cellular an antioxidant and proliferation

immune boosting anhydrase VI deficiencies zinc supplementation at 100mg for 4-6 months supplement, and is most can improve dysgeusic symptoms secondary to proliferating carbonic commonly supplemented [210] to reduce anhydrase the frequency VI. of sickness and to It has been noted that improved dysgeusic symptoms only occur in support optimal testosterone levels. persons

who are deficient in carbonic anhydrase VI and respond to zinc

supplementation (indicated by an increase in salivary zinc)[210] and other


Edit (/edit/supplements twice(/history daily) /Zinc/) History /Zinc/) Discussion lessening

studies have noted that supplementation of zinc (50mg elemental zinc to persons undergoing chemotherapy is not associated with a of symptoms.[168]

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top

Dysgeusia (alterations in taste) and smell associated with chemotherapy may be (http://examine.com beneficially influenced in some persons, but this is not highly reliable /supplements/Zinc/)

12.

Edit (/edit-section/supple ments/Zinc/?section=Interactions+with+Other+Disease +States)

Interactions with Other Disease States


12.1. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a state characterized by small intestinal malabsorption of nutrients and increases in intestinal permeability that respond in particular
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to lectins from wheat (known as gluten), which is primarly treated with a

SUMMARY with celiac disease, this malabsporption may result in a relative zinc THINGS TO [213][214] deficiency although supplementation is not required if a gluten free KNOW diet (and thus less malabsorption) is adhered to.[215] HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' In somebody with celiac disease who consumes gluten (and thus experiences intestinal distress and malabsorption from their gluten intolerance), zinc THOUGHTS absorption can be hindered and a deficiency can ensue. Avoiding gluten will FAQ avoid this complication and would then preclude the need to supplementation HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX 12.2. Pruritus COMPLETE Pruritus (itch) during hemodialysis is alleviated with 440mg zinc sulfate SUMMARY daily over the period of one month to a degree larger than placebo.[216] CITATIONS

gluten-free diet without an inherent need for medication.[211][212] In persons

Quick 13. Summary:

Forms of

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Forms+of+Zinc+Supplementation)

Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

Zinc Supplementation
Zinc Citrate, at 50mg elemental Zinc (146mg) daily for 4 weeks is

13.1. Zinc Citrate /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a

large amount of enzymes associated with a maintenance of Zinc status while placebo declines over in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and time (told to maintain a low Zinc diet, estimated between 10-12mg).[217] immune boosting supplement, and is most Gluconate 13.2. Zinc commonly supplemented

Gluconate, at 50mg elemental Zinc (385mg), appears to be slightly to reduce Zinc the frequency of sickness and to more effective than Zinc Citrate (nonsignificant) and can increase serum support optimal
testosterone levels.

and erythrocytic stores of Zinc in apparently healthy persons over a period of 4 weeks.[217]

13.3. Zinc Picolinate


Edit (/edit/supplements /Zinc/) History Zinc (/history Picolinate /Zinc/) Discussion

(bound to picolinic acid, a metabolite of tryptophan), at levels greater than placebo and the other two forms

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back to Top urinary and serum (http://examine.com tested (Citrate, /supplements/Zinc/)

50mg elemental Zinc (144mg) in healthy persons appears to increase Gluconate).[217]

14. Nutrient14.1. Vitamin B6

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Zinc/?section=Nutrient-Nutrient+Inte ractions)

Nutrient Interactions
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is commonly supplemented alongside zinc and Magnesium (/supplements/Magnesium/) (as aspartate) in the formulation known as ZMA (/supplements/ZMA/). This formulation is recommended in
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part due to both minerals being common deficiencies for athletes (and thus

SUMMARY (/supplements/Testosterone+Booster/). THINGS TO KNOW It appears that the inhibitor effect of zinc on the 5-reductase enzyme in vitro that can reach 98% at 15mM of zinc sulphate is potentiated by vitamin HOW TO TAKE B6, as the addition of 0.025% B6 to the medium produced a similar levels EDITORS' of inhibition despite only using 1.5-3mM zinc sulphate.[132] Beyond the THOUGHTS combination of those two, 500M zinc sulphate paired with 0.025% B6 with FAQ an additional 100M azelaic acid produced similarly potent inhibition[132] HUMAN EFFECT and this apparent synergism has been noted in skin cells as well[132] which MATRIX is likely due to inhibition of 5-reductase in particular.[135] COMPLETE Complications with the above data is that zinc alone likely does not reach SUMMARY high enough concentrations in the human body to inhibit 5-reductase, CITATIONS
and at lower concentrations (500nM) it actually augments the activity of the enzyme[134] which may underlie increases in DHT seen in humans.[128]

replenishment a priority), yet it is also claimed to be a Testosterone Booster

Quick While high dose zinc supplementation paired with vitamin B6 can Summary: potentially be effective, this has not adequately been tested in humans.
Zinc is an essential While studies mineral (/supplements

that investigate ZMA per se don't tend to measure DHT

directly, there doesn't appear to be any increases in testosterone[218] which /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a are supposed to be increased when the 5-reductase enzyme is inhibited
large amount of enzymes due to backlog in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and

(seen with finasteride[219]).

immune boosting Zinc is inhernetly a potent 5-reductase inhibitor (type I) and this potency is supplement, and is most augmented by the addition of B6. While this leads to the assumption that the commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency doesn't appear to occur following oral supplementation of standard doses of of sickness and to either supplements. This may be due to such a large concentration being support optimal

combination would cause an increase in testosterone at the expense of DHT, this

required for potent inhibition and this concentration just not occurring with oral testosterone levels. supplementation of zinc, even after the requirements are lowered by B6

Edit (/edit/supplements 14.2. Ethanol /Zinc/) History (/history /Zinc/) Discussion Alcohol

(/supplements/Alcohol/) is known to be teratogenic to the fetus, related to zinc metabolism. Specifically, overconsumption of an increase in metallothionein[220] which then sequesters

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back which may be to Top /supplements/Zinc/) zinc[221]

alcohol causes (http://examine.com

and its transportation to the fetus;[222] teratogenicity and cognitive

impairment of the fetus can be attenuated with zinc consumption in mice[223][224][225][226] although this is not yet studied in humans.
Reductions in zinc concentrations in serum are associated with the adverse effects of alcohol on fetal development

14.3. Iron
Both zinc and iron are transported by the bivalent cation transporter DMT1[227] and Nramp2.[228] As transporters can get saturated to capacity
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with excessive levels of substrate, it is thought high levels of both minerals

SUMMARY Supplementation of zinc in solution appears to inhibit the absorption of THINGS TO KNOW iron. with low doses of iron (500mcg) requiring 5.7-fold as much zinc to inhibit absorption while higher doses (10mg) only required a 1:1 ratio[229] HOW TO TAKE which has been replicated.[230] Elsewhere, nonheme iron specifically, EDITORS' where a solution of zinc and iron caused a dose-dependent inhibition of THOUGHTS 28-40% with increasing zinc ratios (5:1 to 20:1).[231] FAQ HUMAN EFFECT Iron and zinc in solution appear to compete for absorption, and while this is not a MATRIX concern with low levels of iron intake it does appear to be concernable when both minerals are above 10mg. This may be relevant to taking supplements COMPLETE containing them both in a fasted state SUMMARY CITATIONS
Studies using fortified milk (4:1 ratio with 300mcg/kg iron in infants[232] or simply 10mg/L iron with a 2:1 ratio in women[233]) have failed to replicate

may impair absorption of one of them.

Quick the inhibition of iron absorption. Summary:


Studies using iron and zinc both fortified into food products have failed to find a Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements zinc-mediated inhibition of iron absorption. It is possible that this is related to a
/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) reduced rate of absorption (due to solid food particles in the intestines) and the involved in regulating a rate avoiding transporter saturation reduced large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and

immune boosting supplement, and is most Copper deficiency commonly supplemented

14.4. Copper

can be induced by disease states (Wilson disease and

to reduce the frequency dietary of sickness and to intake of copper; of interest to zinc is how zinc supplementation can support optimal induce a copper deficiency which has been reported in humans using up testosterone levels.

Menkes syndrome), excess losses (nephrotic syndrome) or inadequate

to 600mg elemental zinc daily[234] or excessive usage of zinc-based dental adhesives (a tube a day).[235][234][236]

Edit (/edit/supplements The mechanism /Zinc/) History (/history

is through the proteins known as metallothioneins, which The protein seems to be inducable, being increased in

sequester /Zinc/) Discussion

some minerals (cadmium, zinc, and copper[237]) and control their

(/discussion/Zinc/) Back oxidative effects. to Top (http://examine.com

content in response to the minerals that it sequesters[238] and it is thought higher levels of metallothionein can adequately sequester possible toxicity from zinc but overreact in sequestering copper, leading to its deficiency if copper is not also overconsumed.
Excessive zinc usage can increase levels of metallothioneins, which is due to this protein sequestering possible toxic effects of zinc excess. However, since it also sequesters copper it can lead to deficiencies in this latter mineral when the ratio of zinc:copper gets too high

that the /supplements/Zinc/)

This is sometimes therapeutic, as copper overload has been implicated in some disease states such as Alzheimer's[239][240] and liver cirrhosis.[176]
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To a degree, this sequestering can be therapeutic. This has not been tested with the doses used to induce deficiences though, but with more modest SUMMARY 'superloading' protocols (100mg elemental zinc or so)

http://examine.com/supplements/Zinc/

THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE EDITORS' Edit (/edit-se ction/supplements/Zinc/?section=Safety+and+Toxicology) 15. Safety and THOUGHTS FAQ Toxicology HUMAN EFFECT 15.1. General MATRIX A meta-analysis on the usage of zinc preparations for treating the common COMPLETE cold noted that zinc lozenges were associated with altered taste perception SUMMARY and nausea to a degree higher than placebo with a variable dose of CITATIONS [99]
30-160mg elemental zinc. This is seen in a few interventions with zinc for the treatment of pneumonia in children, where nausea and vomiting occurs at a greater frequency than placebo.[102]

Quick Summary:

Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements

/Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented

Scientific Support & Reference Citations


References

to reduce the frequency of sickness 1. and to K, et al. Serum testosterone and urinary excretion of steroid hormone metabolites after administration of a Koehler high-dose zinc supplement (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17882141). Eur J Clin Nutr. (2009) support optimal
2. Guguen M, et al. Shellfish and residual chemical contaminants: hazards, monitoring, and health risk assessment along French coasts (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21541848). Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. (2011) 3. Maret W, Sandstead HH. Zinc requirements and the risks and benefits of zinc supplementation (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16632171). J Trace Elem Med Biol. (2006) 4. Brown KH, Hambidge KM, Ranum P; Zinc Fortification Working Group. Zinc fortification of cereal flours: current recommendations and research needs (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20629353). Food Nutr Bull. (2010) Edit (/edit/supplements 5. Prasad AS. Zinc: an overview (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7749260). Nutrition. (1995) /Zinc/) History (/history 6. Vallee BL, Falchuk KH. The biochemical basis of zinc physiology (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8419966). /Zinc/) Discussion Physiol Rev. (1993) (/discussion/Zinc/) H, Back 7. Haase Rink L. Functional significance of zinc-related signaling pathways in immune cells (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19400701). Annu Rev Nutr. (2009) to Top 8. Anzellotti AI, Farrell NP. Zinc metalloproteins as medicinal targets (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18648687). (http://examine.com Chem Soc Rev . (2008) /supplements/Zinc/) 9. Vallee BL, Auld DS. Zinc metallochemistry in biochemistry (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7579976). EXS. (1995) 10. Abreu IA, Cabelli DE. Superoxide dismutases-a review of the metal-associated mechanistic variations (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19914406). Biochim Biophys Acta. (2010) 11. Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18385818). Mol Med. (2008) 12. Prasad AS. Clinical, immunological, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles of zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/18054190). Exp Gerontol. (2008) 13. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Zinc (http://www.nrv.gov.au/resources/<em>files /n35-zinc.pdf) 14. Recommended Dietary Allowances: 10th Edition (http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record</em>id=1349&page=208) 15. Prasad AS. Clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3896271). Annu Rev Nutr. (1985) 16. Prasad AS. Zinc deficiency in human subjects (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6361778). Prog Clin Biol Res. (1983) 17. Cope EC, Levenson CW. Role of zinc in the development and treatment of mood disorders (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20689416). Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. (2010) 18. Takeda A, Tamano H. Insight into zinc signaling from dietary zinc deficiency (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /19747942). Brain Res Rev . (2009)

testosterone levels.

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19. Quantifying Selected Major Risks to Health (http://www.who.int/whr/2002/chapter4/en/) 20. Hambidge M. Human zinc deficiency (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801941). J Nutr. (2000) 21. Lukaski HC. Magnesium, zinc, and chromium nutriture and physical activity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /10919964). Am J Clin Nutr. (2000) 22. Campbell WW, Anderson RA. Effects of aerobic exercise and training on the trace minerals chromium, zinc and copper (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3547541). Sports Med. (1987) 23. Galbo H, et al. Thyroid and testicular hormone responses to graded and prolonged exercise in man (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/837910). Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. (1977) 24. Hackney AC, et al. Comparison of the hormonal responses to exhaustive incremental exercise in adolescent and young adult males (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21655870). Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. (2011) 25. Canfield WK, Hambidge KM, Johnson LK. Zinc nutriture in type I diabetes mellitus: relationship to growth measures and metabolic control (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6384460). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. (1984) 26. Kinlaw WB, et al. Abnormal zinc metabolism in type II diabetes mellitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6881179). Am J Med. (1983) 27. McNair P, et al. Hyperzincuria in insulin treated diabetes mellitus--its relation to glucose homeostasis and insulin administration (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7016379). Clin Chim Acta. (1981) 28. Zargar AH, et al. Copper, zinc and magnesium levels in type-1 diabetes mellitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /12070576). Saudi Med J . (2002) 29. Cellular zinc in patients with diabetes mellitus (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531788801283) 30. Jansen J, et al. Disturbed zinc homeostasis in diabetic patients by in vitro and in vivo analysis of insulinomimetic activity of zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22402369). J Nutr Biochem. (2012) 31. Aguilar MV, et al. Plasma mineral content in type-2 diabetic patients and their association with the metabolic syndrome (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17851234). Ann Nutr Metab. (2007) 32. Kiilerich S, et al. 65 zinc absorption in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus assessed by whole-body counting technique (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2116942). Clin Chim Acta. (1990) 33. Williams NR, et al. Plasma, granulocyte and mononuclear cell copper and zinc in patients with diabetes mellitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7741248). Analyst. (1995) 34. Weigand E, Kirchgessner M. Homeostatic adjustments in zinc digestion to widely varying dietary zinc intake (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/619316). Nutr Metab. (1978) 35. Effect of dietary zinc on 65-ZN absorption and turnover in rats (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article /pii/S027153178980003X) 36. Wada L, Turnlund JR, King JC. Zinc utilization in young men fed adequate and low zinc intakes (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4045570). J Nutr. (1985) Zinc is an essential 37. Lee DY , et al. Homeostasis of zinc in marginal human zinc deficiency: role of absorption and endogenous excretion of mineral (/supplements zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8228573). J Lab Clin Med. (1993) 38. Taylor CM, et al. Homeostatic regulation of zinc absorption and endogenous losses in zinc-deprived men /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2000832). Am J Clin Nutr. (1991) involved in regulating a 39. Wong CP, Magnusson KR, Ho E. Increased inflammatory response in aged mice is associated with age-related zinc large amount of enzymes deficiency and zinc transporter dysregulation (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22981370). J Nutr Biochem . (2012) in the body. It is knownJM, aset al. Zinc absorption adapts to zinc supplementation in postmenopausal women 40. Beiseigel J Am Coll Nutr. (2009) an antioxidant (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19828903). and 41. Wessells KR, et al. Plasma zinc concentration responds rapidly to the initiation and discontinuation of short-term zinc immune boosting supplementation in healthy men (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20943956). J Nutr. (2010) supplement, is most CJ, et al. Importance of zinc in the central nervous system: the zinc-containing neuron 42.and Frederickson (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801962). J Nutr. (2000) commonly supplemented 43. frequency Baraano DE, Ferris CD, Snyder SH. Atypical neural messengers (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11164940). to reduce the Trends Neurosci. (2001) of sickness and to 44. Choi DW, Koh JY. Zinc and brain injury (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9530500). Annu Rev Neurosci. (1998) support optimal 45. Frederickson CJ, et al. Cytoarchitectonic distribution of zinc in the hippocampus of man and the rat (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6616240). Brain Res . (1983) testosterone levels. 46. Harrison NL, Gibbons SJ. Zn2+: an endogenous modulator of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7845550). Neuropharmacology. (1994) 47. Palm R, Hallmans G. Zinc concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal adults and patients with neurological diseases (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7130992). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry . (1982) Edit (/edit/supplements 48. Wensink J, et al. The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the mossy fiber zinc content of the rat hippocampus. A microbeam /Zinc/) History (/history PIXE study. Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3610674). Histochemistry. (1987) /Zinc/) Discussion 49. Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R. Pinealectomy and melatonin administration in rats: their effects on plasma leptin levels and (/discussion/Zinc/) Back relationship with zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18277460). Acta Biol Hung. (2007) to Top 50. Spontaneous and evoked release of endogenous Zn2+ in the hippocampal mossy fiber zone of the rat in situ (http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF00238969) (http://examine.com 51. Peters S, Koh J, Choi DW. Zinc selectively blocks the action of N-methyl-D-aspartate on cortical neurons /supplements/Zinc/) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2883728). Science. (1987) 52. Bancila V, et al. Zinc inhibits glutamate release via activation of pre-synaptic K channels and reduces ischaemic damage in rat hippocampus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15312179). J Neurochem. (2004) 53. Koh JY, et al. The role of zinc in selective neuronal death after transient global cerebral ischemia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8638123). Science. (1996) 54. Choi DW. Zinc neurotoxicity may contribute to selective neuronal death following transient global cerebral ischemia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9246467). Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol. (1996) 55. Lee JM, et al. 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Altered zinc metabolism in mood disorder patients (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2790104). Biol Psychiatry. (1989) 66. Sawada T, Yokoi K. Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20087376). Eur J Clin Nutr. (2010) 67. Stewart-Knox BJ, et al. Supplemented zinc does not alter mood in healthy older European adults--a randomised placebo-controlled trial: the Zenith study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21272413). Public Health Nutr. (2011) 68. Siwek M, et al. Zinc supplementation augments efficacy of imipramine in treatment resistant patients: a double blind, placebo-controlled study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278731). J Affect Disord. (2009) 69. Neurobiology of Zinc-Influenced Eating Behavior (http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1493S.full) 70. Tassabehji NM, et al. Zinc deficiency induces depression-like symptoms in adult rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/18655800). Physiol Behav. (2008) 71. Ohinata K, et al. Orally administered zinc increases food intake via vagal stimulation in rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19158231). J Nutr. (2009) 72. Jing MY, Sun JY , Wang JF. The effect of peripheral administration of zinc on food intake in rats fed Zn-adequate or Zn-deficient diets (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425433). Biol Trace Elem Res. (2008) 73. Holst B, et al. GPR39 signaling is stimulated by zinc ions but not by obestatin (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /16959833). Endocrinology. (2007) 74. Inui A, et al. Ghrelin, appetite, and gastric motility: the emerging role of the stomach as an endocrine organ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15003990). FASEB J. (2004) 75. Asakawa A, et al. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulatory signal from stomach with structural resemblance to motilin (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11159873). Gastroenterology. (2001) 76. Arnold LE, et al. Zinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21309695). J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. (2011) Zinc is an essential 77. Pittenger C, Krystal JH, Coric V. Glutamate-modulating drugs as novel pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of mineral (/supplements obsessive-compulsive disorder (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16490414). NeuroRx. (2006) 78. Chakrabarty K, et al. Glutamatergic dysfunction in OCD (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15841109). /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Neuropsychopharmacology . (2005) involved in regulating a 79. Starck G, et al. A 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in adults with obsessive compulsive disorder: large amount of enzymes relationship between metabolite concentrations and symptom severity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed in the body. It is known as /18528631). J Neural Transm . (2008) 80. Coric an antioxidant and V, et al. Riluzole augmentation in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15993857). Biol Psychiatry. (2005) immune boosting 81. Sayyah M, et al. Evaluation of oral zinc sulfate effect on obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized placebosupplement, and is most controlled clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465904). Nutrition. (2012) Tahmasebi Boroujeni S, et al. The effect of severe zinc deficiency and zinc supplement on spatial learning and memory commonly 82. supplemented (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19183867). Biol Trace Elem Res. (2009) to reduce the frequency 83. Aquilani R, et al. Normalization of zinc intake enhances neurological retrieval of patients suffering from ischemic of sickness and to strokes (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19761652). Nutr Neurosci. (2009) support optimal 84. Hennig B, Toborek M, Mcclain CJ. Antiatherogenic properties of zinc: implications in endothelial cell metabolism (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8936496). Nutrition. (1996) testosterone levels. 85. Beattie JH, Kwun IS. Is zinc deficiency a risk factor for atherosclerosis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /14756902). Br J Nutr. (2004) 86. Yang YJ, et al. Dietary zinc intake is inversely related to subclinical atherosclerosis measured by carotid intima-media thickness (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20487581). Br J Nutr. (2010) Edit (/edit/supplements 87. Bao B, et al. Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20427734). Am J Clin /Zinc/) History (/history Nutr. (2010) /Zinc/) Discussion 88. Kelishadi R, et al. 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98. The Dynamic Link between the Integrity of the Immune System and Zinc Status (http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5 /1399S.long) 99. Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21328251). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2011) 100. Ganguly A, et al. A randomized controlled trial of oral zinc in acute pneumonia in children aged between 2 months to 5 years (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660397). Indian J Pediatr. (2011) 101. Wadhwa N, et al. Efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct in the treatment of severe and very severe pneumonia in hospitalized children 2-24 mo of age: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/23636236). Am J Clin Nutr. (2013) 102. Valentiner-Branth P, et al. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of zinc as adjuvant therapy in children 2-35 mo of age with severe or nonsevere pneumonia in Bhaktapur, Nepal (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20375190). Am J Clin Nutr. (2010) 103. Shah GS, et al. Role of zinc in severe pneumonia: a randomized double bind placebo controlled study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22856593). Ital J Pediatr. (2012) 104. Srinivasan MG, et al. Zinc adjunct therapy reduces case fatality in severe childhood pneumonia: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22316073). BMC Med. (2012) 105. Basnet S, et al. A randomized controlled trial of zinc as adjuvant therapy for severe pneumonia in young children (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22392179). Pediatrics. (2012) 106. Valavi E, et al. The efficacy of zinc supplementation on outcome of children with severe pneumonia. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660402). Indian J Pediatr. (2011) 107. Chandyo RK, et al. Two weeks of zinc administration to Nepalese children with pneumonia does not reduce the incidence of pneumonia or diarrhea during the next six months (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20631326). J Nutr. (2010) 108. Baum MK, et al. HIV-1 infection in women is associated with severe nutritional deficiencies (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/9402074). J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. (1997) 109. Beach RS, et al. Specific nutrient abnormalities in asymptomatic HIV-1 infection (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /1503689). AIDS. (1992) , et al. Micronutrient levels and HIV disease status in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral 110. Jones CY therapy in the Nutrition for Healthy Living cohort (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17019373). J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. (2006) 111. Graham NM, et al. Relationship of serum copper and zinc levels to HIV-1 seropositivity and progression to AIDS (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1890606). 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Oral zinc sulfate treatment for viral warts: an open-label study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed supplement, and is most J Dermatol. (2011) /21352302). 155. Al-Gurairi FT, Al-Waiz M, Sharquie KE. Oral zinc sulphate in the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts: randomized commonly supplemented placebo-controlled clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11952542). Br J Dermatol. (2002) to reduce the frequency 156. Sharquie KE, Khorsheed AA, Al-Nuaimy AA. Topical zinc sulphate solution for treatment of viral warts of sickness and to (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17768472). Saudi Med J. (2007) support optimal 157. Chapter 43. Rosacea, Perioral Dermatitis and Similar Dermatoses, Flushing and Flushing Syndromes (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781444317633.ch43/summary) testosterone levels. 158. Sharquie KE, Najim RA, Al-Salman HN. 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173. Nakayama A, et al. A new diagnostic method for chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma based on serum metallothionein, copper, and zinc levels (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11995918). Biol Pharm Bull. (2002) 174. Lin CC, et al. Selenium, iron, copper, and zinc levels and copper-to-zinc ratios in serum of patients at different stages of viral hepatic diseases (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16388099). Biol Trace Elem Res. (2006) 175. Nutritional Status and Blood Trace Elements in Cirrhotic Patients (http://hepatmon.com/?page=article&article_id=522) 176. Somi MH, et al. Effects of low dose zinc supplementation on biochemical markers in non-alcoholic cirrhosis: a randomized clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22827782). Arch Iran Med. (2012) 177. Sturniolo GC, et al. Zinc supplementation tightens "leaky gut" in Crohn's disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /11383597). Inflamm Bowel Dis. (2001) 178. Zinc Supplementation Inhibits Hepatic Apoptosis in Mice Subjected to a Long-Term Ethanol Exposure (http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/content/233/5/540.full) 179. Preservation of Intestinal Structural Integrity by Zinc Is Independent of Metallothionein in Alcohol-Intoxicated Mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615750/) 180. Zhou Z, et al. Zinc supplementation prevents alcoholic liver injury in mice through attenuation of oxidative stress (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15920153). Am J Pathol. (2005) 181. Zinc Deficiency Mediates Alcohol-Induced Alveolar Epithelial and Macrophage Dysfunction in Rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715909/) 182. Kang YJ, Zhou Z. Zinc prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /16099027). Mol Aspects Med. (2005) 183. Kang WS, et al. Effects of a zinc-deficient diet on hearing in CBA mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /22209802). Neuroreport. (2012) 184. Hoeve LJ, Wensink J, Mertens zur Borg IR. Hearing loss related to zinc deficiency in rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/2393557). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. (1990) 185. Franco-Vidal V, et al. Zinc protection against pneumolysin toxicity on rat cochlear hair cells (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/17890859). Audiol Neurootol. (2008) 186. Coelho CB, Tyler R, Hansen M. Zinc as a possible treatment for tinnitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /17956792). Prog Brain Res. (2007) 187. Sha SH, et al. Overexpression of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase protects from kanamycin-induced hearing loss (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11474137). Audiol Neurootol. (2001) 188. Shambaugh GE Jr. Zinc for tinnitus, imbalance, and hearing loss in the elderly (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /3492920). Am J Otol. (1986) 189. Arda HN, et al. The role of zinc in the treatment of tinnitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544035). Otol Zinc is an essential Neurotol. (2003) mineral (/supplements 190. Ochi K, et al. Zinc deficiency and tinnitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12543156). Auris Nasus Larynx. (2003) 191. Yetiser S, et al. The role of zinc in management of tinnitus (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12393036). Auris /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) Nasus Larynx involved in regulating a . (2002) 192. Yang CH, et al. Zinc in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov large amount of enzymes /pubmed/20928835). Laryngoscope. (2011) in the body. It is known as N, Bedwal RS. Testicular apoptosis after dietary zinc deficiency: ultrastructural and TUNEL studies 193. Kumari D, Nair Syst Biol Reprod Med. (2011) an antioxidant (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21644846). and 194. Clegg MS, et al. Zinc deficiency-induced cell death (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16223705). IUBMB Life. immune boosting (2005) supplement, is most 195.and Nodera M, Yanagisawa H, Wada O. Increased apoptosis in a variety of tissues of zinc-deficient rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11589504). Life Sci. (2001) commonly supplemented Kumari D, Nair N, Bedwal RS. Protein carbonyl, 3-, and 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in testes and serum to reduce196. the frequency FSH, LH, and testosterone levels in zinc deficient Wistar rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22505238). of sickness and to Biofactors. (2012) support optimal 197. Bahuguna A, Bedwal RS. Testicular protein profile (SDS-PAGE) study of zinc deficient Wistar albino rat (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18697568). Indian J Exp Biol. (2008) testosterone levels. 198. Kumari D, Nair N, Bedwal RS. Effect of dietary zinc deficiency on testes of Wistar rats: Morphometric and cell quantification studies (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21145718). J Trace Elem Med Biol. (2011) 199. Merrells KJ, et al. Relationship between abnormal sperm morphology induced by dietary zinc deficiency and lipid composition in testes of growing rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19222874). Br J Nutr. (2009) Edit (/edit/supplements 200. Croxford TP, McCormick NH, Kelleher SL. Moderate zinc deficiency reduces testicular Zip6 and Zip10 abundance and impairs spermatogenesis in mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21248196). J Nutr. (2011) /Zinc/) History (/history 201. Yamaguchi S, et al. Zinc is an essential trace element for spermatogenesis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /Zinc/) Discussion /19541612). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2009) (/discussion/Zinc/) Back 202. Sangthawan D, Phungrassami T, Sinkitjarurnchai W. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zinc sulfate to Top supplementation for alleviation of radiation-induced oral mucositis and pharyngitis in head and neck cancer patients (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23720981). J Med Assoc Thai. (2013) (http://examine.com 203. Saadeh CE. Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: review of preventive strategies and treatment /supplements/Zinc/) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15977916). Pharmacotherapy. (2005) 204. Mansouri A, et al. The effect of zinc sulfate in the prevention of high-dose chemotherapy-induced mucositis: a doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21692101). Hematol Oncol. (2012) 205. Arbabi-kalati F, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of zinc sulfate in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced mucositis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22724877). Arch Iran Med. (2012) 206. Ertekin MV, et al. Zinc sulfate in the prevention of radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis: a prospective, placebocontrolled, randomized study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14697435). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. (2004) 207. Halyard MY. Taste and smell alterations in cancer patients--real problems with few solutions (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19408460). J Support Oncol. (2009) 208. Hong JH, et al. Taste and odor abnormalities in cancer patients (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19408458). J Support Oncol. (2009) 209. Henkin RI, Martin BM, Agarwal RP. Decreased parotid saliva gustin/carbonic anhydrase VI secretion: an enzyme disorder manifested by gustatory and olfactory dysfunction (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10616163). Am J Med Sci. (1999) 210. Henkin RI, Martin BM, Agarwal RP. Efficacy of exogenous oral zinc in treatment of patients with carbonic anhydrase VI deficiency (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10616164). Am J Med Sci. (1999) 211. Harris LA, et al. Celiac disease: clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic review (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

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/22898420). Gastrointest Endosc . (2012) 212. Rostom A, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of serologic tests for celiac disease: a systematic review (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15825125). Gastroenterology . (2005) 213. Singhal N, et al. Serum zinc levels in celiac disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18451454). Indian Pediatr. (2008) 214. Solomons NW, Rosenberg IH, Sandstead HH. Zinc nutrition in celiac sprue (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /1266787). Am J Clin Nutr. (1976) 215. Rawal P, et al. Zinc supplementation to patients with celiac disease--is it required (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /20176568). J Trop Pediatr. (2010) 216. Najafabadi MM, et al. Zinc sulfate for relief of pruritus in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22458392). Ther Apher Dial. (2012) 217. Barrie SA, et al. Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857). Agents Actions. (1987) 218. Wilborn CD, et al. Effects of Zinc Magnesium Aspartate (ZMA) Supplementation on Training Adaptations and Markers of Anabolism and Catabolism (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18500945). J Int Soc Sports Nutr. (2004) 219. Roehrborn CG, et al. Effects of finasteride on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14624915). Urology. (2003) 220. Uddin RK, Singh SM. Ethanol-responsive genes: identification of transcription factors and their role in metabolomics (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16652119). Pharmacogenomics J. (2007) 221. Carey LC, et al. Maternal ethanol exposure is associated with decreased plasma zinc and increased fetal abnormalities in normal but not metallothionein-null mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10698374). Alcohol Clin Exp Res . (2000) 222. Carey LC, et al. Ethanol decreases zinc transfer to the fetus in normal but not metallothionein-null mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10968663). Alcohol Clin Exp Res . (2000) 223. Carey LC, et al. Zinc supplementation at the time of ethanol exposure ameliorates teratogenicity in mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544014). Alcohol Clin Exp Res . (2003) 224. Summers BL, Rofe AM, Coyle P. Dietary zinc supplementation throughout pregnancy protects against fetal dysmorphology and improves postnatal survival after prenatal ethanol exposure in mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/19183140). Alcohol Clin Exp Res. (2009) 225. Summers BL, et al. Dietary zinc supplementation during pregnancy prevents spatial and object recognition memory impairments caused by early prenatal ethanol exposure (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17884190). Behav Brain Res. (2008) 226. Summers BL, Rofe AM, Coyle P. Prenatal zinc treatment at the time of acute ethanol exposure limits spatial memory Zinc is an essential impairments in mouse offspring (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16326994). Pediatr Res. (2006) mineral (/supplements 227. Gunshin H, et al. Cloning and characterization of a mammalian proton-coupled metal-ion transporter (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9242408). Nature. (1997) /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) 228. Tandy S, a et al. Nramp2 expression is associated with pH-dependent iron uptake across the apical membrane of human involved in regulating intestinal Caco-2 cells (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10625641). J Biol Chem. (2000) large amount of enzymes 229. Olivares M, et al. Acute inhibition of iron bioavailability by zinc: studies in humans (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed in the body. It is known as /22297381). Biometals. (2012) 230. Olivares an antioxidant and M, Pizarro F, Ruz M. New insights about iron bioavailability inhibition by zinc (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/17350802). Nutrition. (2007) immune boosting 231. Olivares M, Pizarro F, Ruz M. Zinc inhibits nonheme iron bioavailability in humans (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed supplement, and is most Biol Trace Elem Res. (2007) /17873388). 232. Friel JK, et al. Elevated intakes of zinc in infant formulas don not interfere with iron absorption in premature infants commonly supplemented (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9740203). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. (1998) to reduce the frequency 233. Olivares M, et al. Effect of increasing concentrations of zinc on the absorption of iron from iron-fortified milk of sickness and to (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22760642). Biol Trace Elem Res. (2012) support optimal 234. Willis MS, et al. Zinc-induced copper deficiency: a report of three cases initially recognized on bone marrow examination (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15762288). Am J Clin Pathol. (2005) testosterone levels. 235. Afrin LB. Fatal copper deficiency from excessive use of zinc-based denture adhesive (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/20555248). Am J Med Sci. (2010) 236. Nations SP, et al. Denture cream: an unusual source of excess zinc, leading to hypocupremia and neurologic disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18525032). Neurology. (2008) Edit (/edit/supplements 237. Cousins RJ. Metallothionein--aspects related to copper and zinc metabolism (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /6413769). J Inherit Metab Dis . (1983) /Zinc/) History (/history 238. Induction of Kidney Metallothionein and Metallothionein Messenger RNA by Zinc and Cadmium (http://jn.nutrition.org /Zinc/) Discussion /content/112/4/801.full.pdf) (/discussion/Zinc/) Back 239. Brewer GJ. Copper excess, zinc deficiency, and cognition loss in Alzheimer's disease (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov to Top /pubmed/22438177). Biofactors. (2012) 240. Brewer GJ. Copper toxicity in Alzheimer's disease: cognitive loss from ingestion of inorganic copper (http://examine.com (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22673823). J Trace Elem Med Biol. (2012) /supplements/Zinc/) 241. Ebben M, Lequerica A, Spielman A. Effects of pyridoxine on dreaming: a preliminary study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/11883552). Percept Mot Skills . (2002) 242. De Souza MC, et al. A synergistic effect of a daily supplement for 1 month of 200 mg magnesium plus 50 mg vitamin B6 for the relief of anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10746516). J Womens Health Gend Based Med. (2000) 243. Rashidi AA, et al. Effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and C-reactive protein concentrations in hemodialysis patients (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19541504). J Ren Nutr. (2009)

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(Common misspellings for Zinc include znc, zimc) (Common phrases used by users for this page include zinc vs dht in aromatase inhibitor, zinc dosage for athletes 2013, zinc citrate daily max, if i workout a lot and sweat a ton how much more zinc should i supplement, bodybuilding zinc dosage, athletes zinc sweat)

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Zinc is an essential mineral (/supplements /Essential+Vitamin+or+Mineral/) involved in regulating a large amount of enzymes in the body. It is known as an antioxidant and immune boosting supplement, and is most commonly supplemented to reduce the frequency of sickness and to support optimal testosterone levels.

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