Also known as Zinc Picolinate, Zinc Gluconate, Zinc Citrate
Essential trace mineral and cofactor for over 300 enzymes; supports immune cell function, wound healing, and testosterone synthesis, with topical and oral forms used for acne.
Reported side effects:Nausea and gastric discomfort (with excessive amounts)Headache (with excessive amounts)Dizziness and vomiting (with excessive amounts)
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding, some medical situations
Ask first if you take: other medicines, blood-pressure medicines
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
Also measured alongside: Thinking test performance (reported a benefit); Copper and iron blood levels (no clear benefit).
Every resultNo figure given: Pus-filled spots (pustules) (reported a benefit).
Every resultWhat sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
| Reported effect | How often | Basis | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea and gastric discomfort (with excessive amounts) | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Headache (with excessive amounts) | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Dizziness and vomiting (with excessive amounts) | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Loss of appetite (with excessive amounts) | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Reported effect | How often | Basis | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inhibited copper absorption with 50 mg/day or more over weeks, which can lead to copper deficiency | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Reduced immune function and lower HDL cholesterol with prolonged high doses | unknown | Listed by NIH ODS fact sheets | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | No pregnancy-specific caution found in the sources checked: the NIH ODS zinc fact sheet discusses pregnancy zinc requirements and keeps intake within the tolerable upper intake level, with no separate supplement caution. | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| breastfeeding | No breastfeeding-specific caution found in the sources checked (NIH ODS zinc fact sheet has no lactation statement). | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| some medical situations | People regularly taking quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics or penicillamine should ask a clinician: zinc can interact with these medicines (NIH ODS). | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| Severity | Medicine | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| caution | other medicines — Zinc may interact with quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics (NIH ODS) - ask a clinician about timing or alternatives. | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| caution | other medicines — Zinc may interact with penicillamine (NIH ODS). | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
| listed | blood-pressure medicines — Some diuretics used for blood pressure increase urinary zinc excretion and can lower serum zinc (NIH ODS). | Zinc (NIH ODS fact sheet, Health Professional edition; retrieved via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-10-10) |
Audited published research for Zinc by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.
| Compound and condition | Findings (count) | Studies (count) | Reported results (finding counts) | How sure? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acne | 2 | 1 | Benefit: 1; no benefit: 1; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0 | Not formally graded |
| ADHD | 6 | 2 | Benefit: 2; no benefit: 4; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0 | Not formally graded |
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Essential trace mineral with modest, well-timed benefit for cold duration and clear benefit in deficiency.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Dietary patterns, metabolic pathways and metainflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic reviewCelik E, et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2026PMID 42233037 ↗02Effect of nutritional interventions on the psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsRobinson J, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2025PMID 38684926 ↗03Safety and efficacy of antioxidant therapy in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysisZhou P, et al. · PloS one · 2024PMID 38547138 ↗04An ancestral molecular response to nanomaterial particulatesDel Giudice G, et al. · Nature nanotechnology · 2023PMID 37157020 ↗05Safety and Effectiveness of Oral Nutraceuticals for Treating Acne: A Systematic ReviewShields A, et al. · JAMA dermatology · 2023PMID 37878272 ↗06The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trialsTalebi S, et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition · 2022PMID 34184967 ↗Reported results grouped by condition. Values and units are preserved as recorded; missing information is not estimated.
How to read this table
Reported direction, numerical results and study design are separate. Certainty has not been formally graded in this table.
| What was measured | Reported findings | Result and units | Reported sample and duration | Study / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other acne lesions | Zinc did not benefit comedones, papules, infiltrates, or cysts compared to placebo.No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 52 Follow-up: 12-week | Randomised trial · 1978 Study detailsZinc sulfate in acne vulgaris. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Pustules | Zinc appeared somewhat beneficial for pustules compared to placebo; the abstract gives no effect size.Benefit seen | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 52 Follow-up: 12-week | Randomised trial · 1978 Study detailsZinc sulfate in acne vulgaris. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| What was measured | Reported findings | Result and units | Reported sample and duration | Study / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADHD total scores | Zinc supplementation improved ADHD total scores (SMD: -0.62 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.002, p = 0.04) compared with placebo in 489. (95% CI: -1.24 to -0.002, p = 0.04)Benefit seen | SMD: -0.62 Hedges' g Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 489 Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2022 Study detailsThe effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. Systematic Review |
| hyperactivity scores | Zinc supplementation did not significantly improve hyperactivity scores (SMD: -0.93 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -3.31 to 1.45, p = 0.44) compared with placebo in 489. (95% CI: -3.31 to 1.45, p = 0.44)No clear benefit | SMD: -0.93 Hedges' g Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 489 Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2022 Study detailsThe effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. Systematic Review |
| inattention scores | Zinc supplementation did not significantly improve inattention scores (SMD: 0.21 Hedges' g; 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.51, p = 0.17) compared with placebo in 489. (95% CI: -0.09 to 0.51, p = 0.17)No clear benefit | SMD: 0.21 Hedges' g Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 489 Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2022 Study detailsThe effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. Systematic Review |
| Copper and iron blood indices | Zinc glycinate (30 mg/day) did not significantly improve Copper and iron blood indices from baseline (before-after within one group) in 52 (8 weeks).No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 52 Follow-up: 8 weeks | Randomised trial · 2011 Study detailsZinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Objective neuropsychological measures | Zinc glycinate (b.i.d.) improved Objective neuropsychological measures (d = 0.36-0.7) compared with placebo in 52 (13 weeks).Benefit seen | d = 0.36-0.7 Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 52 Follow-up: 13 weeks | Randomised trial · 2011 Study detailsZinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine. Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Safety tests and adverse events | Zinc glycinate did not significantly improve Safety tests and adverse events compared with placebo in 52 (13 weeks).No clear benefit | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): 52 Follow-up: 13 weeks | Randomised trial · 2011 Study detailsZinc for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: placebo-controlled double-blind pilot trial alone and combined with amphetamine. Randomized Controlled Trial |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
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