Zinc

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Other names
Synopsis
Uses: Health Conditions
Uses: Body Systems
Products

Other names for zinc

Zinc Picolinate
Zinc Citrate
Zinc Gluconate
Zinc Bisglycinate
Zinc
Zinc
Zinc alpha keto-glutarate
Zinc alpha ketoglutarate
Zinc alpha-ketoglutarate
zinc amino acid chelate
Zinc Ascorbate
zinc aspartate
zinc bisglycinate
zinc bisglycinate chelate
Zinc carnosine
zinc citrate
zinc gluconate
Zinc Glutarate
zinc glycinate
zinc glycinate chelate
Zinc L-Carnosine
Zinc lipoic acid
Zinc magnesium aspartate
Zinc osporotate
Zinc Picolinate
zinc picolinate
Zinc Yeast
zinc-carnosine
Zinc-l-Carnosine
I-methionine-bound zinc

Synopsis of zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body. It plays a critical role in DNA synthesis, immune function, wound healing, protein and collagen formation, antioxidant defense, and cellular signaling. Zinc is also essential for taste perception, reproductive health, and growth and development, especially during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. As a cofactor in numerous metabolic processes, zinc is indispensable for maintaining physiological balance.

Zinc can be found in a variety of foods, including red meat, shellfish (especially oysters), legumes, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products. It is also widely available in dietary supplements, either alone or in combination with other nutrients. Common supplemental forms include zinc gluconate, zinc citrate, zinc picolinate, and zinc oxide, each differing in bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerance.

Clinically, zinc is used to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold, support immune defense during infections, promote wound healing, and treat zinc deficiency-related conditions such as growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, hair loss, impaired taste, and compromised immunity. It has also been studied for its role in skin health (e.g., acne, dermatitis), eye health (especially in age-related macular degeneration), and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Historical Use:
The use of zinc in healing practices dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used zinc compounds for wound healing, skin disorders, and as part of medicinal ointments. Zinc-containing minerals like calamine (a zinc carbonate-based compound) were used for treating skin irritations and infections, and brass (a zinc-copper alloy) was used in surgical instruments and vessels, believed to have antimicrobial properties.

In Ayurvedic medicine, zinc was processed and purified into a substance known as Yashada Bhasma, used for treating diabetes, eye disorders, and skin ailments. It was often administered with ghee or honey to enhance absorption and mitigate harsh effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine also incorporated zinc-rich mineral preparations for ulcers, sores, and general vitality enhancement.

The scientific recognition of zinc as an essential nutrient came much later. In the 20th century, researchers began identifying zinc deficiency as a significant public health issue, especially in developing regions where diets were low in animal protein and high in phytate-containing grains (which inhibit zinc absorption). In 1961, severe zinc deficiency was linked to growth retardation and hypogonadism in Iranian and Egyptian populations, leading to a broader understanding of its systemic importance.

Zinc is used for these health conditions

Abrasions (Scientific)
Acne (Scientific)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Scientific)
Aging (prevention) (Scientific)
Alcoholism (Scientific)
Anemia (Scientific)
Anorexia (Scientific)
Antibiotics (alternatives to) (Scientific)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Appetite (deficient) (Scientific)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Athlete's Foot (Scientific)
Attention Deficit Disorder (Scientific)
Autism (Scientific)
Autoimmune Disorders (Scientific)
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (Traditional)
Birth Defects (prevention) (Scientific)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Blisters (Scientific)
Body Building (Scientific)
Body Odor (Scientific)
Boils (Scientific)
Broken Bones (Scientific)
Bruises (healing) (Scientific)
Bulimia (Scientific)
Burns and Scalds (Scientific)
Calcium Deficiency (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer (prevention) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Canker Sores (Scientific)
Carbuncles (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Cartilage Damage (Scientific)
Cataracts (Scientific)
Celiac Disease (Scientific)
Cervical Dysplasia (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Cholera (Scientific)
Cirrhosis of the Liver (Scientific)
Cold Sores (Scientific)
Colds (antiviral) (Scientific)
Colds (decongestant) (Scientific)
Colds (general) (Scientific)
Colds (prevention) (Scientific)
Colds (with fever) (Scientific)
Colitis (Scientific)
Concentration (poor) (Scientific)
Congestion (Scientific)
Congestive Heart Failure (Scientific)
Conjunctivitis (Scientific)
Contagious Diseases (Scientific)
Convalescence (Scientific)
Copper Toxicity (Scientific)
Cough (damp) (Scientific)
Cough (dry) (Scientific)
Cough (general) (Scientific)
Cough (spastic) (Scientific)
Cradle Cap (Scientific)
Cramps (menstrual) (Scientific)
Crohn's Disease (Scientific)
Cuts (Scientific)
Cystic Fibrosis (Scientific)
Dandruff (Scientific)
Debility (Scientific)
Dehydration (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Dermatitis (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Diabetic Retinopathy (Scientific)
Diaper Rash (Scientific)
Diarrhea (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Scientific)
Duodenal Ulcers (Scientific)
Dysentery (Scientific)
Eczema (Scientific)
Endometriosis (Scientific)
Energy (lack of) (Scientific)
Enteritis (Scientific)
Epstein Barr Virus (Scientific)
Erectile Dysfunction (Scientific)
Exercise (Scientific)
Eye Infections (Scientific)
Eye Problems (Scientific)
Eyes (red or itching) (Scientific)
Eyes (spots before) (Scientific)
Eyesight (poor) (Scientific)
Failure to Thrive (Scientific)
Fat Metabolism (poor) (Scientific)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Fibrosis (Scientific)
Fingernails (weak or brittle) (Scientific)
Foot Odor (Scientific)
Free Radical Damage (Scientific)
Gastritis (Scientific)
Giardia (Scientific)
Gingivitis (Scientific)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Scientific)
Hair Care (general) (Scientific)
Halitosis (Scientific)
Hashimoto's Disease (Scientific)
Hearing Loss (Scientific)
Heart (weakness) (Scientific)
Heavy Metal Poisoning (Scientific)
Hemochromatosis (Scientific)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Scientific)
Herpes (Scientific)
Hypothyroid (Scientific)
Impetigo (Scientific)
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (bacterial) (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
Infertility (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Influenza (Scientific)
Injuries (Scientific)
Insomnia (Scientific)
Irritability (Scientific)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Scientific)
Itching (Scientific)
Itching (rectal) (Scientific)
Jock Itch (Scientific)
Labor and Delivery (Scientific)
Lead Poisoning (Scientific)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Scientific)
Leprosy (Scientific)
Lesions (Scientific)
Leucorrhea (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Scientific)
Lupus (Scientific)
Macular Degeneration (Scientific)
Mastitis (Scientific)
Measles (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Menorrhagia (Scientific)
Menstrual Irregularity (Scientific)
Mental Illness (Scientific)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Migraine (Scientific)
Miscarriage (prevention) (Scientific)
Mononucleosis (Scientific)
Mood Swings (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Nervous Exhaustion (Scientific)
Night Blindness (Scientific)
Nursing (Scientific)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Scientific)
Oral Surgery (Scientific)
Osteoporosis (Scientific)
Pancreatitis (Scientific)
PMS (general) (Scientific)
PMS Type A (Scientific)
PMS Type C (Scientific)
PMS Type D (Scientific)
PMS Type H (Scientific)
PMS Type P (Scientific)
PMS Type S (Scientific)
Pneumonia (Scientific)
Poison Ivy or Oak (Scientific)
Post Partum Depression (Scientific)
Post Partum Weakness (Scientific)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Scientific)
Premature Ejaculation (Scientific)
Progesterone (low) (Scientific)
Prostatitis (Scientific)
Protein Digestion (poor) (Scientific)
Psoriasis (Scientific)
Puberty (hormone balancer) (Scientific)
Rashes and Hives (Scientific)
Rhinitis (Scientific)
Rosacea (Scientific)
Scars / Scar Tissue (Scientific)
Schizophrenia (Scientific)
Scratches and Abrasions (Scientific)
Seborrhea (Scientific)
Sex Drive (low) (Scientific)
Shingles (Scientific)
Sickle Cell Anemia (Scientific)
Sinus Infection (Scientific)
Skin (dry and/or flaky) (Scientific)
Skin (infections) (Scientific)
Skin (oily) (Scientific)
Skin Care (general) (Scientific)
Sleep (restless and disturbed) (Scientific)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (Scientific)
Smell (loss of) (Scientific)
Sore or Geographic Tongue (Scientific)
Sore Throat (Scientific)
Stress (Scientific)
Stye (Scientific)
Sugar Cravings (Scientific)
Sunburn (Scientific)
Surgery (healing from) (Scientific)
Surgery (preparation for) (Scientific)
Syphilis (Traditional)
Teeth (loose) (Scientific)
Testosterone (low) (Scientific)
Thinking (cloudy) (Scientific)
Tickle in Throat (Scientific)
Tonsillitis (Scientific)
Tooth Decay (Scientific)
Toxemia (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)
Tuberculosis (Scientific)
Ulcerations (external) (Scientific)
Ulcers (Scientific)
Vitiligo (Scientific)
Warts (Scientific)
Wasting (Scientific)
Worry (Scientific)
Wounds and Sores (Scientific)

zinc is used to support these body systems

Adrenal Glands (Scientific)
Arteries (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Cortisol (Scientific)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Eyes (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Gums (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Hepatic System (Scientific)
Hypothalamus (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Liver (Scientific)
Male Reproductive System (Scientific)
Mucus Membranes (Scientific)
Nails (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Pancreas Head (Scientific)
Parathyroid Glands (Scientific)
Parotids (Salivary Glands) (Scientific)
Peyer’s patches (Scientific)
Pituitary (Scientific)
Prostate (Scientific)
Rectum (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Respiratory System (Scientific)
Sinuses (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
Small Intestines (Scientific)
Smell (Scientific)
Stomach (Scientific)
Structural System (Scientific)
Sweat Glands (Scientific)
Taste (Scientific)
Taste (Scientific)
Teeth (Scientific)
Testes (Scientific)
Testes (Scientific)
Testosterone (Scientific)
Thymus (Scientific)
Thyroid Gland (Scientific)
Tonsils (Scientific)
Uterus (Scientific)
Vocal Cords (Scientific)

Products containing zinc

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