Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that is critical for the function of hundreds of enzymes. Consequently, it plays many roles, including in antioxidant enzymes, brain function, and the immune system. Zinc is most commonly taken to reduce the duration of respiratory infections and the common cold.

Quick Answer

What it is

Zinc is an essential mineral that is critical for the function of hundreds of enzymes. Consequently, it plays many roles, including in antioxidant enzymes, brain function, and the immune system.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Risk (Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI))
  • Grade B: Common Cold Symptoms (Common Cold)
  • Grade B: Diarrhea Symptoms

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Zinc

Quick Facts: Zinc

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:45
  • Research Outcomes:148
  • Grade A Findings:1
  • Grade B Findings:3
  • Key Effect:Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)
Outcomes by grade:
A1
B3
C16
D6
45 conditions Β· 148 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
12 studies
↓Improves
?
Common Cold Risk
4 studies
↑Worsens
B
Common Cold Symptoms
Small Improvement
10 studies
small↓Improves
C
Diarrhea Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
B
Diarrhea Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Vomiting
11 studies
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
2 studies
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
13 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
13 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
12 studies
↑Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
7 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
IGF-1
↑Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
1 study
↓Improves
C
Aggression
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Serum BDNF
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Anxiety Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Serum BDNF
↑Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Iron Absorption
↑Improves
?
Cell Adhesion Factors
↓Improves
?
Free Testosterone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
↓Improves
?
Serum T3
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
Blood glucose
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
↓Improves
?
Weight
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Apolipoprotein A
↑Improves
?
Apolipoprotein B
1 study
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
LDL Oxidation
1 study
↓Improves
?
Leptin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Reaction Time
↑Improves
?
Serum BDNF
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
C
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Small Decrease
small↓Improves
?
Luteinizing Hormone
1 study
↑Improves
?
Prolactin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Seminal Motility
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
1 study
↑Improves
C
Cognition
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Stroke Recovery
1 study
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
1 study
↓Improves
C
Functionality in Elderly or Injured
Small Improvement
1 study
small↑Improves
?
IGF-1
↑Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
1 study
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
1 study
↓Improves
C
Free Testosterone
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Serum T3
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Free Testosterone
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
C
Free Testosterone
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Serum T3
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum T4
1 study
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
D
Infant Birth Weight
No effect
17 studies
none
?
Preterm Birth Risk
↑Worsens
?
Infant Growth
↑Improves
?
Iron Absorption
↑Improves
D
Infant Birth Weight
No effect
17 studies
none
?
Preterm Birth Risk
↑Worsens
D
Infant Birth Weight
No effect
17 studies
none
?
Preterm Birth Risk
↑Worsens
D
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
No effect
none
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Blood Flow
No effect
1 study
none
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
1 study
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
1 study
↓Improves
?
Cell Adhesion Factors
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Plasma Nitrate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
D
Body Fat
No effect
none
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Interleukin 2
1 study
↑Improves
?
Leptin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Serum DHEA
1 study
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Pneumonia Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Acne Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Mucositis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Rosacea Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Wart Severity
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
ADHD Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Cirrhosis Severity
↑Worsens
?
Psoriasis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Dysgeusia
↑Improves
?
Dysgeusia
↑Improves
?
Dental Health Metrics
↑Improves
?
Dental Health Metrics
↑Improves
?
Mucositis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Wart Severity
↑Worsens
?
Iron Absorption
↑Improves
?
Subjective Well-Being
↑Improves
?
Mucositis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
OCD Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Iron Absorption
↑Improves
?
Tinnitus Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Itching
↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AAcute Respiratory Infection (ARI)
1
↓Acute Respiratory Tract Infection RiskImproves↓Acute Respiratory Tract Infection SymptomsImproves↑Common Cold RiskWorsens
BCommon Cold
1
↓Common Cold SymptomsImproves↓Diarrhea SymptomsImproves↓Upper Respiratory Tract Infection SymptomsImproves
BType 2 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
BAcne
1
↓Acne SymptomsImproves
BWarts
1
↑Wart SeverityWorsens
CDepression
1
↑AggressionImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves↑Serum BDNFImproves
CPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
1
↑Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImproves↓PMS SymptomsImproves↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves
CMetabolic Health
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Iron AbsorptionImproves↓Cell Adhesion FactorsImproves
CMetabolic Syndrome
1
↑Anti-Oxidant Enzyme ProfileImproves↓Blood glucoseImproves↑Glycemic ControlImproves
CCognitive Improvement
1
↑CognitionImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves↓Interleukin 6Improves
CEnd-Stage Renal Disease
1
↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves↑Luteinizing HormoneImproves↑ProlactinImproves
CInfertility
1
↑Seminal MotilityImproves↑Sperm CountImproves
CStroke
1
↑CognitionImproves↑Stroke RecoveryImproves
CType 1 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CFrailty
1
↑Functionality in Elderly or InjuredImproves↑IGF-1Improves
CGestational Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CPrediabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↑InsulinWorsens
CThyroid Health
1
↑Free TestosteroneImproves↑Serum T3Improves↑Serum T4Improves
CWrestling Performance
1
↑Free TestosteroneImproves↑TestosteroneImproves
CGeneral Athletic Performance
1
↑Free TestosteroneImproves↑Serum T3Improves↑Serum T4Improves

Research Citations (79)

Effects of folic acid and folic acid plus zinc supplements on the sperm characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of infertile men: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PMID: 37539255
A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the role of zinc supplementation in ameliorating physical and psychological manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in young females.
PMID: 40435711
Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Physical and Psychological Symptoms, Biomarkers of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Women with Premenstrual Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
PMID: 31154571
Effect of zinc sulfate supplementation on premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life: Clinical randomized controlled trial
PMID: 28188965
Effect of zinc supplementation on markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation among prepubescent children with metabolic syndrome
PMID: 21028969
Effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in prepubertal obese children
PMID: 20045801
Effect of zinc supplementation on antioxidant activity in young wrestlers
PMID: 19597720
Randomized, double-blind trial of 220 mg zinc sulfate twice daily in the treatment of rosacea
PMID: 22435439
Oral zinc sulfate in the treatment of rosacea: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PMID: 16863527
Prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds with zinc gluconate lozenges
PMID: 3440773

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