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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.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Number of audited published findings for Zinc by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
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.
Safety notes: Chronic use >40 mg/day risks copper deficiency and immune suppression. Intranasal zinc products have caused anosmia.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other acne lesions | Zinc did not benefit comedones, papules, infiltrates, or cysts compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | 52 | 12-week | RCT · 1978 | PMID 153730 |
| Pustules | Zinc appeared somewhat beneficial for pustules compared to placebo; the abstract gives no effect size.Benefit seen | no number reported | 52 | 12-week | RCT · 1978 | PMID 153730 |
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.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erectile function with PDE5 inhibitors | PDE5 inhibitors improved erectile function scores by 10.65 compared to placebo. (95% CI 5.34 to 15.96)Benefit seen | 10.65 mean difference | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2010 | PMID 21154382 |
| Testosterone with oral zinc | Oral zinc increased testosterone compared to placebo, with a standardised mean difference of 1.62. (95% CI 0.58 to 2.66)Benefit seen | 1.62 standardised mean difference | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2010 | PMID 21154382 |
| Testosterone with zinc in dialysate | Zinc added to dialysate did not significantly raise testosterone compared to placebo. (95% CI -2.14 to 2.55)No clear benefit | 0.21 ng/mL | — | — | Meta-analysis · 2010 | PMID 21154382 |
| Erectile function with PDE5 inhibitors | PDE5 inhibitors improved erectile function scores by 1.81 compared to placebo. (95% CI 1.51 to 2.10)Benefit seen | 1.81 mean difference | — | — | Systematic review · 2010 | PMID 20498250 |
| Testosterone with zinc in dialysate | Zinc added to dialysate did not significantly raise testosterone compared to control treatment. (95% CI -2.12 to 2.50)No clear benefit | 0.19 standardized mean difference | — | — | Systematic review · 2010 | PMID 20498250 |
| Endocrine parameters | Folic acid plus zinc did not change reproductive hormone concentrations compared to placebo.No clear benefit | no number reported | — | 26-week | RCT · 2006 | PMID 16533356 |
| Sperm concentration in subfertile men | Folic acid plus zinc increased sperm concentration in subfertile men compared to placebo; the abstract gives no effect size.Benefit seen | no number reported | 40 | 26-week | RCT · 2006 | PMID 16533356 |