Relationship: Digestion (poor) and zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Digestion (poor)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in many physiological processes, including immune function, cell division, and enzymatic reactions. Its relevance to digestion is scientifically supported, particularly in the context of maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract and supporting the function of digestive enzymes. Zinc is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes, several of which are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins during digestion. Deficiency in zinc has been associated with symptoms such as poor appetite, diarrhea, and impaired nutrient absorption, all of which can contribute to poor digestion.

Clinical studies have shown that zinc supplementation can help restore gut barrier function, particularly in individuals with gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease. It is also used therapeutically to reduce the duration and severity of acute diarrhea in children, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

However, evidence directly supporting the use of zinc as a general supplement for improving digestion in otherwise healthy adults is limited. Most studies focus on populations with a diagnosed zinc deficiency or specific gastrointestinal illnesses. While zinc is necessary for proper digestion, supplementation beyond the recommended dietary allowance does not appear to further enhance digestive health in the absence of a deficiency.

In summary, there is moderate scientific evidence that zinc supports digestive health, particularly in cases of deficiency or specific GI conditions, but routine use for "poor digestion" in the general population lacks robust support.

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Other health conditions supported by zinc

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

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Health Concerns

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Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Digestion (poor)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Digestion (poor)

Other health conditions supported by zinc

Products containing zinc

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: ZincFor the health condition: Digestion (poor)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Digestion (poor)

Other health conditions supported by zinc

Products containing zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Digestion (poor)