Summary:  | Zinc formulations have been used since Ancient Egyptian times to enhance wound healing. However, more scientific evidence is needed to make a firm conclusion. Zinc is needed for the functioning of over 300 different enzymes. It plays a vital role in a large number of biological processes. | 
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Scientific Evidence: | Uses These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. | Grade* | | Diarrhea (children) | A
| | Gastric ulcers | A
| | Sickle cell anemia (management) | A
| | Acne vulgaris | B
| | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | B
| | Down's syndrome | B
| | Fungal infections of the scalp | B
| | Herpes simplex virus | B
| | High cholesterol | B
| | Immune function | B
| | Plaque/gingivitis | B
| | Wilson's disease | B
| | Alopecia (hair loss) | C
| | Anorexia | C
| | Bad breath | C
| | Beta-thalassemia (hereditary disorder) | C
| | Boils | C
| | Burns | C
| | Chronic prostatitis (enlarged prostate) | C
| | Closed head injuries | C
| | Common cold | C
| | Crohn's disease | C
| | Dandruff | C
| | Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) | C
| | Diaper rash | C
| | Eczema | C
| | Exercise performance | C
| | Gilbert's syndrome | C
| | Hepatic encephalopathy (abnormal brain function when toxic substances passed from liver to blood) | C
| | HIV/AIDS | C
| | Incision wounds | C
| | Infertility | C
| | Kidney function | C
| | Kwashiorkor (malnutrition from inadequate protein intake) | C
| | Leg ulcers | C
| | Leprosy | C
| | Liver cirrhosis (liver disease) | C
| | Lower respiratory infections (children) | C
| | Macular degeneration (eye disease) | C
| | Malaria | C
| | Mucositis caused by radiation | C
| | Muscle cramps (cirrhosis) | C
| | Parasites | C
| | Pregnancy | C
| | Psoriasis | C
| | Rheumatoid arthritis | C
| | Skin damage (caused by incontinence) | C
| | Stomatitis | C
| | Taste perception (hemodialysis, cancer) | C
| | Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) | C
| | Trichomoniasis | C
| | Viral warts | C
| | Celiac disease | D
| | Chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease | D
| | Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) | D
| | Cystic fibrosis | D
| | Inflammatory bowel disease | D
| | *Key to grades: A: Strong scientific evidence for this use; B: Good scientific evidence for this use; C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use; D: Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work); F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work). |
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Safety: | Zinc is generally considered safe when taken at the recommended dosages. Avoid zinc chloride since studies have not been done on its safety or effectiveness. While zinc appears safe during pregnancy in amounts lower than the established upper intake level, caution should be used since studies cannot rule out the possibility of harm to the fetus. |
Possible side effects: | Abdominal copper deficiency, cramping, diarrhea, interstitional nephritis, leukopenia, liver damage, microcytic anemia, nausea, neutropenia, tubular necrosis, reduced function of the immune system, respiratory infection, sideroblastic anemia, vomiting. |
Possible interactions: | Amiloride (midamor®), caffeine, captopril (Capoten®), Enalapril (Vasotec®), carbenoxolone analog, chlorthalidone (like Hygroton®), cholera vaccine, cholesterol-lowering drugs, cholestyramine, cisplatin (like Platinol-AQ®), deferoxamine (like Desferal®), drugs that deplete the body of zinc (like birth control pills or diuretics), erythromycin, ethanol (alcohol), fluoroquinolone antibiotics, hormone replacement therapy, drugs that change blood sugar levels (like insulin), interferon Alfa-2B (like Intron A®), pancreatic enzyme replacements, penicillamine (like Cuprimine®), tetracycline antibiotics, thyroid active drugs, copper, iron, herbs or supplements that affect the thyroid, dairy foods, fiber, IP-6 (phytic acid), phosphorous, and other herbs or supplements with similar effects. |
Dosing: | Zinc is used in different forms, as elemental zinc, zinc acetate, zinc aspartate, zinc chloride, zinc citrate, zinc carbonate, zinc gluconate, zinc methionate, zinc oxide, zinc sulphate (etc.) Therefore, the doses used in various studies may not be comparable, unless they are standardized to elemental zinc content. | | Recommended daily allowance: The current recommended dietary allowance for zinc is 3mg for 7 months to 3 year-olds; 5mg for 4 to 8 year-olds; 8mg for 9 to 13 year-olds; 11mg for 14+ year-old males; 9mg for 14 to 18 year-old males; 8mg for 19+ year-old males; 13mg for 14 to 18 year-old pregnant females; 11mg for 19+ year-old pregnant females; 14mg for 14 to 18 year-old lactating females; and 12mg for 19+ year-old lactating females. |
Adults (18 years and older): | Acetazolamide side effects: 0.2g zinc sulfate three times daily has been used. | | Acne vulgaris: 45-220mg of zinc sulfate (Orazinc® or effervescent), three times daily, up to 12 weeks have been used. 45-135mg of zinc in divided doses have been used for up to 12 weeks, and 30-200mg zinc gluconate has been used for three months. | | Acrodermatitis enteropathica: 100mg zinc, three times daily; 45mg, two times daily; 30mg-65mg daily; 200mg daily; 135mg zinc sulfate daily; 220mg, three time daily, or 50mg twice daily; 45mg zinc three times daily; 45mg zinc, three times daily for two months. | | Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: 0.02mg/kg body weight of zinc has been used as an adjunct therapy for leukemia. | | Alopecia areata: 220mg of zinc sulfate twice daily has been used for three months. | | Anorexia: 45-100mg daily of zinc, zinc sulfate or zinc acetate have been used. 15mg of zinc (as sulfate), three times daily for two weeks, followed by 50mg, three times daily, has also been used. | | Burns: 660mg of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) has been used. | | Cancer: 90mg zinc sulfate daily for five days, with a maintenance dose of 180mg daily has been used. | | Chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease: 45mg of zinc as gluconate has been used daily for two months. | | Cirrhosis/alcoholism: 200mg of zinc sulfate has been used three times daily. 200mg has been taken by mouth daily for two months has been used. | | Common cold/lower respiratory infection: Doses ranged from 4.5mg-23.7mg zinc/lozenge and they were taken every half hour during waking hours .Lozenges containing 5mg or 11.5mg zinc acetate or 13.3mg zinc gluconate, (Quigley Corporation PA) every 2-3 waking hours (total of six lozenges per day). Zinc lozenges (Heiko Chemicals, PA) containing zinc acetate, 42.96mg, 12.8mg zinc) have been studied. Zinc lozenges with 10mg zinc (Quigley Corporation) three times daily. 23mg zinc (as gluconate) lozenges for has been taken daily for seven days. Lozenges (Quigley Corporation, PA) containing zinc (13.3mg zinc gluconate trihydrate with molar concentrations of glycine) every two hours of waking time. Effervescent lozenges (containing 10mg zinc acetate) taken for three days, and at least four lozenges a day. 23mg zinc lozenges containing 2% citric acid, were taken every half hour while awake. 23mg zinc lozenges (Truett Laboratories, TX) and were instructed to let them dissolve in their mouth. Initial dose consisted of two lozenges, then one every two hours. | | Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): 100mg/day of elemental zinc for three months has been used. | | Crohn's disease: 60mg per day ZnSO4; 200mg per day ZnSO4 for three months has been used for thyroid function in Crohn's disease patients. 200mg of zinc sulfate daily for six weeks has been used. | | Cutaneous leishmaniasis 2.5-10mg of zinc sulfate has been used (Analar [BDH]). | | Dental application: One or two pieces of a zinc chewing gum for at least ten minutes, three times daily for one week has been used to treat halitosis. 0.5% zinc citrate dentifrice has been studied for three months. | | Diabetes: 30mg per day as amino acid chelate for three weeks. 30mg of zinc, (as glycine) for three weeks has been given to alleviate oxidate stress in diabetics. 30mg of zinc (as gluconate) has been studied. 50mg zinc has been used daily for 28 days. | | Diabetic neuropathy: Zinc sulfate (660mg) for six weeks. | | Dialysis: 50mg daily as acetate have been used in dialysis patients for effects on lymphocyte and granulocyte function. | | Diaper rash: 10mg zinc gluconate supplements have been used as an adjunct to anti-fungal cream for diaper rash. | | Down syndrome/hypothyroidism: Zinc supplements (1mg/kg/body weight) for two months, followed by a ten-month break, and again two months of zinc treatment. 135mg zinc (as sulfate) daily for two months. | | Dysgeusia: 140mg daily of zinc gluconate | | Eczema: 220mg of daily oral zinc treatment as sulfate has been studied. | | Exercise performance: Zinc at 3mg/kg body weight has been studied for four weeks. | | Furunculosis: 45mg have been used three times daily (Solvezink, Tika) for four weeks. | | Gastro-duodenal ulcers: Doses of zinc Acexamate 300-1800mg, three times daily have been studied for five weeks with maintenance doses of 600mg for up to six months. 220mg zinc sulfate taken three times daily for three weeks has also been used. | | Gastro-intestinal disease: 300mg per day zinc acexamate. | | Gastric/Gastroduodenal ulcers: A-84, 300mg, three times daily for three weeks. Doses of zinc Acexamate 300mg-600mg per day. 220mg as sulfate, three times per day for four weeks. | | Gilbert's syndrome: 40mg of ZnSO4 in a single dose has been used for acute conditions, and 100mg ZnSO4 in a single dose has been given for seven days for chronic conditions. | | Hepatic encephalopathy: Zinc sulfate or zinc acetate, 600mg, has been used for seven to ten days. | | High cholesterol: 7.7mcmol zinc sulfate (50mg elemental zinc) for 90 days has been studied | | Hyperlipidemia: 150mg zinc daily for 12 weeks has been studied. | | Hyperprolactinemia: 37.5mcg oral zinc as sulfate and 15.9mg as sulfate, has been used three times daily for 60 days. | | HIV/AIDS: 200mg of zinc sulfate has been used daily for four weeks as an aid in immune response. Zinc gluconate (125mg of zinc gluconate has been used twice daily for three weeks. | | Immune function: 30mg zinc daily for 14 weeks has been investigated. 200mg of zinc sulfate has been used for two months. | | Immune function in the elderly: 25mg of zinc phosphate has been investigated. 220mg zinc sulfate, twice daily for one month. 50, 100 and 150mg elemental zinc has been used daily. 12mg of Zn+ has been used daily for one month in infected elderly subjects. | | Infertility: 50mg zinc per day (Mahajan, 1982). 66mg zinc sulfate per day for 26 weeks has been used to improve sperm count in fertile and subfertile males. 250mg of zinc sulfate has been used twice daily for three months. 220mg of zinc sulfate has been used once daily, for four months (Cap, ZINCOLAK, Shalaks Chemicals), (18). 440mg zinc sulfate for 12 months. 220mg zinc sulfate for impotence and hypogonadism in hepatic cirrhosis patients. 500mg zinc has been used daily as a supplement with hydrochlorothiazide and sexual side effects. | | Inflammatory bowel disease: 300mg zinc aspartate, (equal to 60mg elemental zinc) has been used daily for four weeks. | | Intestinal malabsorption: 100mg, three times daily and 19mg daily have been used. | | Leg ulcers: 220mg zinc sulfate, 1-3 times daily for up to ten months has been used. 200mg zinc sulfate, three times daily (Solvezink, Astra) for up to one year. | | Leprosy: 220mg zinc sulfate daily has been studied as an adjunct to leprosy medication for up to 18 months. | | Macular degeneration: 100mg, two times per day for up to two years. | | Muscle cramps (cirrohisis): 220mg twice-daily oral zinc sulfate thrice weekly for 12 weeks has been used. | | Nickel-positive patients: Zinc sulfate (100mg, three times per day, for 30 days). | | Pancreatitis/home parenteral nutrition: 30mg zinc sulfate for the first three days of total parenteral nutrition has been used. | | Pregnancy: 30mg elemental zinc has been studied during the last two trimesters of pregnancy, but did not improve birth outcome in Bangladeshi urban poor. 14mg iron and 250mcg folate with 15mg zinc has been studied in pregnancy. | | Psoriasis: 220mg, three times daily for the first for six weeks, then six months 220mg zinc sulfate three times daily for two months. 50mg of zinc, three times daily. | | Rheumatoid arthritis: 220mg of zinc sulfate three times daily has been used up to (Mericon Industries, Ill) 12 weeks. 220mg has been used three times daily for six months. 200mg has been used three times daily. 220mg zinc sulfate, three times daily for at least two months (Solvezinc, Astra). 600mg has been used every 24 hours, (divided up into three doses) for eight months, but showed little success. | | Sickle cell anemia: 220mg zinc, three times per day has been used. 75mg of zinc supplements have been used daily for up to three years. A solution of 1% of zinc sulfate in distilled water has been used. 15mg zinc as acetate has been used twice daily. 25mg every four hours has been studied to enhance healing of leg ulcers and control sickling of erythrocytes in people with sickle cell anemia. 15mg zinc as acetate, has been used three times daily for 12 months to treat serum testosterone deficiency in adults with sickle cell anemia. | | Skin lesions: 400mg zinc sulfate has been used daily. | | Stomatitis: A dose of 200mg zinc sulfate once daily for up to 12 weeks has been studied. | | Supplementation: 15mg or 100mg daily for three months has been used in healthy, elderly people | | Supragingingival calculas formation: Dentrificed containing 0.5% zinc citrate have been used to reduce this condition. | | Taste disorders: 45mg zinc sulfate, three times daily has been used as an adjunct to external radiotherapy. 100mg zinc ion has been used daily for three months. 220mg of zinc sulfate has been used daily for six weeks. 29mg of zinc picolinate capsules have been used three times daily for three months. 100mg zinc sulfate has been used daily for six months. 50mg of zinc acetate has been used daily | | Tinnitus (ringing in the ears): 22mg of zinklet tablets (slow release tablets) have been taken three times daily for over eight weeks. 50mg of zinc has been taken daily. Zinc (34-68mg per day, for two weeks) | | Trichomoniasis: 220mg Zincaps has been used twice daily for three weeks to treat trichomoniasis infection that was unresponsive to metronidazole. | | Viral warts: oral zinc sulfate at a dose of 10mg kg-1 daily up to 600 mg day-1 and followed-up for resolution of their warts and for any evidence of recurrence for 2-6 months has been studied. | | Wilson's disease: 50mg zinc acetate, three times per day for up to one year. Dosages used ranged from 100-400mg zinc sulfate, three times per day. 75mg per day must be given in at least two doses (Brewer, 1983}; zinc acetate 150mg per day, in six doses. Doses of 25-50mg three times daily have been investigated to examine the appropriate dose for maintaining copper balance in those with Wilson's disease. Zinc acetate 25mg, six times per day, for 3-7 weeks has been used. | | D-penicillamin, followed by treatment with zinc sulfate (150mg, three times per day first dose, then 100mg, three times per day has been used | | Zinc (sulfate 200-300mg, three times per day) has been used as a therapy for up to two years when patients did not respond to cupriuretic drugs. | | Zinc acetate treatment (every four hours during day) has been used. | | Zinc sulfate, 200mg, three times per day, orally as the only medication for 14 years. | | Zinc sulfate has been used for up to three years. | | Wound healing: 220mg zinc sulfate, three times per day has been used following surgery to promote wound healing |
Topical (applied to the skin): | Acne vulgaris: Erythromycin (4%) plus 1.2% zinc has been studied for one year. Also, erythromycin (4%) plus zinc two times per day, for ten weeks has been studied. | | Erythromycin (4%) plus zinc (1.2%) has been used two times per day for 12 weeks. | | Erythromycin (4%) plus zinc (1.2%)has been to applied as a topical solution two times per day for 12 weeks on acne for one year. | | Nels' cream (containing chloroxylenol and zinc oxide, though no information about zinc concentration provided), 5% benzoyl peroxide cream and the vehicle of Nels' cream in treating acne vulgaris has been used two times per day, for eight weeks. | | A 4% erythromycin and 1.3% zinc gel has been used for two weeks. | | Dandruff: Shampoo containing 1% zinc pythione (ZPT) has been shown to reduce the number of PAS-positive microorganisms (but not Gram-positive micro-organisms). | | Dental application: 0.5% zinc citrate has been used. | | Herpes: Two applications daily of 0.3% zinc oxide/glycine cream has been studied. Virunderim Gel®, containing 10mg zinc sulfate has also been used up to 12 days. 0.01%-0.05% zinc sulfate solutions applied often during a breakout and once a week during remission. Immersion treatment with liquid soap containing 1% zinc sulfate has been used for three months followed by weekly application. A 4% zinc sulfate solution in water has also been used. | | Immune enhancement: 10mg zinc gluconate, and during diarrhea 20mg of zinc gluconate. | | Leg ulcers: Topical 250-510mcg/cm2 topical zinc oxide in polyvinyl pyrrolidone has been studied for eight weeks. Zinc oxide dressings (Mezinc) have been investigated for eight weeks. Gauze compress medicated with zinc oxide (400mcg ZnO/cm2) has been studied for eight weeks. | | Psoriasis: Cow udder ointment (containing zinc) has been studied for psoriasis. | | Sebum levels: Erythromycin lotions (4%) with (1.2%, Zineryt Lotion) has been studied for three months for its effects on sebum levels. | | Sickle cell anemia: 10mg daily of zinc in a 5mL cherry soup has been taken for one year. | | Trichomoniasis: Zinc sulfate douche (1%) and metronidazole has been used |
Parenteral (injected into the vein or muscle): | Anorexia: 40mcmol per day zinc, intravenously for seven days, followed by 15mg per day for 60 days. | | Cutaneous leishmaniasis: Intralesional injections of ZS 2% and ZnSO4 2% has been studied |
Nasal: | Common cold: 0.12% zinc sulfate nasal spray administered four times per day into each nostril. Gels containing zinc gluconate (Zicam) were used at the recommended dose of one spray (120mcL) into each nostril, every four hours. |
Children (younger than 18 years): | Childhood malnutrition: 10mg per day or 1mg/kg body weight per day, orally. | | Common cold: 10mg daily, taken by mouth; 23mg zinc lozenges (Truett Laboratories, TX) have been studied with initial dose consisting of two lozenges, children half every two hours, not to exceed six per day. | | Diarrhea: Children aged six months to two years received zinc (20mg as acetate, in syrup) for treatment of dehydration and diarrhea. 20mg zinc daily. 20mg of zinc as sulfate, two times per day. Doses of 10mg-20mg zinc in a multivitamin formula for six months 20mg zinc acetate daily for two weeks in 3-24 month-old infants. Multivitamin juice with (15mg zinc acetate/kg body weight. 10mg zinc sulfate in 4mL liquid per day, for seven months. Doses of 14.2mg zinc acetate or 40mg zinc acetate have been used to treat diarrhea in six month to 2-year-old children. 15mg of zinc syrup was used on 6-11 month old children and 30mg with 12-35 month old children. 20 mg per day for 14 days. Zinc gluconate (elemental zinc 10mg to infants and 20mg to older children. Three Recommended Daily Allowances of elemental zinc to 6-35 month old was studied. 15mg (12 months) elemental zinc daily in three divided doses for 14 days. 10 mg zinc for five-day week-1, another group received 50mg zinc once weekly and the remaining group received placebo. Zinc was supplemented for 16 week. 20mg zinc per day for ten days. | | Down syndrome: 20mg/kg zinc per day for two months showed an increase in DNA synthesis. 50mg zinc for six months has also been and results showed a reduction in the number of infections. Zinc supplements (1mg/kg per day) for four months has also been shown beneficial for reducing the number of infections. | | Eczema: 22.5mg zinc, three times daily has been used for eight weeks. | | HIV/AIDS: 1.8-2.2mg/kg body weight daily, for 3-4 weeks has been studied for as an immune response aid in children. | | Infection: 20mg zinc for one year has been studied for stunted growth and episodes of infectious disease. | | Infection with Schistosoma mansoni: 30-50mg, as zinc sulfate five times a week for 12 months has been studied for S. mansoni infection in children. | | Kwashiorkor: Doses of 2-5mg/kg zinc supplements have been studied for one week in children. | | Lower respiratory tract infections children: 10mg zinc gluconate six times a week. 10mg zinc sulfate in 4mL liquid per day, for seven months. 10mg to infants and 20mg to older children or placebo for four months. 10mg zinc as acetate (twice daily for five days). | | Malaria: 12.5mg zinc sulfate for six days per week for six months has been used in children. 10mg zinc gluconate per day, six days per week or placebo to assess their susceptibility to malaria. 10mg elemental zinc for six days a week for 46 weeks. Zinc 20mg day for infants, 40mg per day for older children has been studied for four days. | | Parasites: Zinc supplements 10mg as amino acid chelate have been used. | | Sickle cell anemia: Zinc 10mg per day in 5mL cherry soup has been used in children. | | Taste perception: Zinc chelate 1mg/kg daily for three months has been used in children. | | Wilson's disease: Pediatric patients of 1-5 years of age were given 25mg of zinc twice daily; patients of 6-15 years of age, if under 125 pounds body weight, were given 25mg of zinc three times daily; and patients 16 years of age or older were given 50mg of zinc three times daily. |
  | Natural Standard Monograph (www.naturalstandard.com)
Copyright © 2007 Natural Standard Inc. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited.
| | The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. | | |
Natural Standard evidence-based flashcard. Copyright © 2007 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This flashcard is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions. | | | While some complementary and alternative techniques have been studied scientifically, high-quality data regarding safety, effectiveness, and mechanism of action are limited or controversial for most therapies. Whenever possible, it is recommended that practitioners be licensed by a recognized professional organization that adheres to clearly published standards. In addition, before starting a new technique or engaging a practitioner, it is recommended that patients speak with their primary healthcare provider(s). Potential benefits, risks (including financial costs), and alternatives should be carefully considered. The below monograph is designed to provide historical background and an overview of clinically-oriented research, and neither advocates for or against the use of a particular therapy. | |
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