What Is It?
Zinc is an essential trace mineral. Every cell in the body needs this nutrient and hundreds of body processes rely on it, from the immune system and the enzymes that produce DNA to the senses of taste and smell. Although the body does not produce zinc on its own, this mineral is readily available in drinking water and certain foods. Even so, a surprising number of adults fail to get enough of this mineral through their diet. Better food choices and a good multivitamin and mineral supplement can help compensate for such mild deficiencies.
There’s now evidence that supplements may also be useful in providing the extra zinc needed to fight cold and flu symptoms. In addition, zinc has shown promise for speeding the healing of canker sores and sore throat, promoting recovery from skin injuries, reducing tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and controlling acne and eye problems.
Health Benefits
Zinc is believed to promote a strong immune system by, among other things, revitalizing the thymus gland and its production of white blood cells. In addition, autoimmune diseases (chronic ailments linked to the improper functioning of the immune system, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia) may also benefit from zinc supplementation.
Interestingly, the presence of too little zinc has been linked to a decreased immune response in older people. Again, supplemental zinc may be a viable remedy. In a study of 118 relatively healthy but elderly nursing home residents in Italy, researchers found that those given 25 mg of zinc daily for three months developed stronger immune systems.
By boosting the immune system, zinc may also protect against fungal infections and various infectious disorders, such as conjunctivitis and pneumonia. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Specifically, zinc may help to:
Fight colds and flu. When taken promptly at the first signs of illness, zinc lozenges can minimize the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Research indicates that the zinc may actually destroy the cold virus, cutting the duration of an infection nearly in half. In one study, common colds disappeared about three days earlier in participants who sucked on zinc lozenges every couple of hours instead of on a placebo lozenge.
Only zinc in the form of zinc gluconate, ascorbate, or glycinate will fight a cold, however, so pick your product carefully. Avoid lozenges containing sorbitol, mannitol, or citric acid, as these chemicals, when combined with saliva, make zinc ineffective.
Accelerate healing of canker sores and sore throat. Zinc lozenges appear not only to boost your resistance to canker sores but also make them heal more quickly should they appear. The lozenges may even stave off a sore throat that’s threatening to develop as a result of a cold.
Promote healing of skin wounds, eczema, rosacea, burns, and other irritations. Zinc repairs the skin’s top layer in part by helping to process the essential fatty acids that encourage healing. Adding zinc supplements to your diet may therefore lead to more efficient recovery from burns, psoriasis, rosacea, hemorrhoids, and eczema, especially if the affected area is not healing well. The body also requires extra nutrients such as zinc to help repair burned skin and reinforce the immune response.
Control acne. In some studies, zinc has been linked to skin health because it enhances the immune system, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hormone levels. Acne may improve as a result. In one study, zinc when taken in conjunction with topical prescription antibiotic solutions, such as erythromycin and clindamycin, considerably increased the capacity of these medications to clear up the acne.
Because long-term use of zinc inhibits copper absorption, it should be taken along with that mineral. One study reported that participants taking 30 mg of zinc daily had a clearer complexion after two months than participants taking a placebo, at least according to the evaluating physicians. In a separate study, zinc performed as well as the standard acne antibiotic, tetracycline. Not all studies have found zinc to be beneficial for acne, however.
Reduce tinnitus. High concentrations of zinc are found in the inner ear. A Japanese study tested the theory that insufficient levels of zinc may therefore contribute to tinnitus. Researchers found that tinnitus sufferers with low zinc levels in their blood experienced an improvement in their symptoms when, after two weeks of zinc supplementation, their zinc levels rose significantly.
Treat eye problems. Zinc appears to boost the effectiveness of vitamin A, a nutrient well known for its role in keeping the eyes healthy. In addition, zinc plays a critical role in the functioning of the retina and the light-sensitive area known as the macula found within it. Supplements have been shown to slow vision loss in individuals with macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in individuals over age 50.
Symptoms of the inflammatory eye condition known as conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, may lessen with zinc as well. In a French study of people with symptoms of conjunctivitis from seasonal allergies, zinc combined with antihistamines led to considerable improvement in 78% of the study participants. In the case of infection in the eye, keep in mind that even mild cases that fail to clear rapidly should be seen by a doctor.
Control diabetes. By improving levels of insulin (the hormone so important to regulating the body’s energy supply) zinc supplements may help people with type 1 or 2 diabetes manage their disease more effectively. In addition, some people with diabetes have wounds that fail to heal well; this problem relates in part to the presence of high blood sugar levels and zinc may help to control problems.
Minimize digestive complaints. Zinc’s ability to foster healing may make it valuable in treating ulcers and other digestive tract problems. Interestingly, individuals with inflammatory bowel disease often suffer from a zinc deficiency. Supplements can help to normalize zinc levels.
Protect against osteoporosis. By promoting mineral absorption and keeping bones healthy, zinc may help to prevent this progressive bone disorder and its associated disabling complications, such as fractures. Zinc is often taken with copper, which plays a critical role in keeping collagen–a protein that strengthens the bones and connective tissue–in good shape. At least six months of treatment with zinc/copper combinations are needed before bone-strengthening effects occur.
Treat hormone-related infertility problems. Zinc’s effect on sex hormones may make it valuable in treating infertility in both women and men. Zinc plays a positive role in female fertility by promoting proper cell division, a process critical to the earliest stages of conception and fetal development. Similarly, in male reproduction zinc may well be necessary for adequate testosterone levels and sperm counts.
Reduce the size of an enlarged prostate. Zinc ranks among the key nutrients for the health of the prostate gland in men. Some evidence indicates that it may not only reduce an enlarged prostate but actually relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common but bothersome condition that can result in problems such as difficulty urinating and weak urine flow.
Zinc supplements are most appropriate for prostate problems (BPH, specifically) categorized as mild to moderate; check with your doctor to see if your case qualifies as such. In fact, a doctor should check your condition regularly every six months to track your progress.
Nourish hair. Zinc, along with other vitamins and minerals, promotes hair growth. It may even help slow the loss of hair and counter brittleness, particularly if the problems are due to an underactive thyroid gland. Extra benefits are derived from combining zinc with copper, as this mineral is an essential ingredient in melanin, a natural pigment in hair.
Note: Zinc has been found to be useful for a number of other disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Zinc.
Forms
tablet
lozenge
liquid
capsule
Recommended Intake
While the RDA for zinc is 15 mg for adult men and 12 mg for adult women, higher doses are typically used for specific complaints.
If You Get Too Little
Severe zinc deficiency is rare in developed countries. But even a mild deficiency in this mineral can result in a host of ills, from increased risk for colds and flu to impaired wound healing and a diminished sense of smell. Skin ailments such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis may develop. Low sperm counts may occur. Blood sugar (glucose) tolerance may be compromised, with an associated increased risk for diabetes. In addition, over time, impaired immunity may develop.
If You Get Too Much
Zinc in amounts greater than 200 mg a day can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking even 100 mg a day in supplement form over long periods can result in problems, including lowered levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol and diminished immune-system function.
An association between excessive zinc and Alzheimer’s disease has been made but requires further investigation.
General Dosage Information
Special tips: High-quality multivitamin and mineral supplements typically contain the RDA for zinc.
–Zinc pills or liquids in the following forms are well absorbed and generally gentle on the stomach: zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, zinc monomethionine, and zinc glycerate.
When treating the majority of ailments mentioned: Take 30 mg once a day.
For colds or flu: Suck on one zinc gluconate lozenge every two hours for as long as cold or flu symptoms persist.
For sore throat: Suck on one zinc gluconate lozenge every two hours as needed.
For canker sores: Suck on one lozenge every two hours for three or four days.
For eye infections: Take 30 mg a day for one month.
Be sure to check out our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Zinc, which lists therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.
Guidelines for Use
Zinc lozenges taken for a sore throat can safely be combined with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
When treating osteoporosis, zinc may safely be added to a regimen of prescription drugs or estrogen therapy. Many “bone-building” supplement combinations contain zinc along with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and other nutrients vital to bone health.
When treating rosacea or psoriasis, it may take about a month of zinc supplementation before you see any improvements.
When treating acne, zinc may safely be combined with conventional acne medications, but may interact with certain antibiotics. Caution is warranted. It may take three weeks or more to see results.
Zinc supplements can safely be combined with many prescription drugs for diabetes, but consult your doctor to ensure that your need for insulin doesn’t change.
If you are a coffee drinker, be sure to take zinc supplements at least one hour before or two hours after drinking the coffee; the absorption of zinc is reduced by 50% when taken with coffee.
General Interaction
Absorption of copper may be compromised by long-term (a month or more) ingestion of zinc. So, as a precaution, supplement every 30 mg of zinc with 2 mg of copper.
If you also take iron supplements, avoid absorption problems by taking the zinc two hours after the iron.
Because zinc may decrease the absorption of the antibiotics tetracyline, doxycycline, and minocycline, making them less effective, take zinc at least two hours after the antibiotic.
Note: For information on interactions with specific generic drugs, see our WholeHealth Chicago Drug/Nutrient Interactions Chart.
Cautions
Total daily intake of zinc (from supplements, foods, and other sources combined) should not surpass 150 mg a day.
Ailments-Dosage
Burns 30 mg a day
Canker Sores 1 lozenge every 2 hours until sores start healing
Colds 1 zinc gluconate lozenge every 1-2 hours as needed
Earache 1 zinc gluconate lozenge every 2-4 hours as needed if you’re in the throes of a head cold; total daily intake of zinc (from supplements, foods, and other sources combined) should not surpass 150 mg in 24 hours.
Flu 1 zinc gluconate lozenge every 2 hours as needed
Sore Throat 1 lozenge every 3 or 4 hours as needed
Ulcers 30 mg a day for one month
Doctor Recommendations
David Edelberg, M.D.
Most people probably never give zinc much thought, except as a mineral connected somehow to batteries or brass candlesticks. In fact, zinc is found in every cell of the body, and it’s involved in more enzymatic reactions (more than 200) than any other mineral. For this reason, nutritionally oriented physicians have been using zinc for years to treat a variety of medical conditions, ranging from arthritis and Alzheimer’s to acne and the common cold.
HOW IT HELPS PROSTATE PROBLEMS
Zinc has been shown to reduce the size of the prostate, but of all the natural therapies suggested for treating BPH, the research on zinc is probably the weakest. We do know that the prostate gland concentrates zinc, and that prostate fluid is especially high in this mineral. In one unpublished study, men with enlarged prostates were given zinc supplementation and there were some physical signs of prostate shrinkage. In addition, there are some stronger studies showing that the potent antioxidant effect of zinc may help protect you from developing cancer of the prostate (along with soy and lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
For long-term therapeutic use, there are at least a half dozen different forms of zinc; this can be disconcerting when you go to shop. One thing about long-term use of zinc: Zinc blocks the absorption and enhances the excretion of copper. This means if you take zinc long enough (over many months), you’ll develop a copper deficiency, which can cause an unusual form of anemia. If you select a good zinc product, it should also contain a bit of copper.
Forms
There are two basic forms of zinc: pills or liquids for long-terms use, and lozenges for short-term relief of colds or flu. Pills or liquids: We generally suggest zinc picolinate or a mixture of different zincs. (Interestingly, most of the research studies have used zinc sulfate, which happens to be the form of zinc least well absorbed.) All of the following are well absorbed and easy on the stomach: Zinc picolinate, acetate, citrate, glycerate, or monomethionine. A product is good for BPH if it combines zinc with glycinate, one of the amino acids needed for healthy prostate function.
For product recommendations and orders click here for the Natural Apothecary or call 773-296-6700, ext. 2001.
Be well,
David Edelberg, MD