This Mineral Is A Nonnegotiable For Health — But Most People Don’t Get Enough

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, and the second most abundant mineral in your body, next to iron. The fact that it’s “essential” means that your body can’t make zinc on its own. To get what you need, you have to consume it daily—for example through food and supplement sources. “Trace” means that you only need small amounts of it every day, but that doesn’t make it any less important.

Zinc plays a role in the activity of more than 100 enzymes in your body. These enzymes are involved in critical functions, like making DNA, protein synthesis, your senses (vision, taste, and smell), immune function, and even cellular growth, division, and metabolism.*

One of the most well-noted functions of zinc is its role in immune health. The mineral is involved in the creation of antibody molecules, which are one of the important ways the body defends itself against bacterial, viral, and other types of outside offenders, according to board-certified internist and mbg collective member Vincent M. Pedre, M.D.* 

Research shows that a variety of critical immune cells in our innate and adaptive immune systems—monocytes, natural killer cells, neutrophils, B cells, T cells—rely on access to zinc for their development and protection, and not getting enough of the nutrient can impact immune resilience. On the flip side, zinc supplementation can optimize their function in those who may need more of the mineral.*

Additionally, zinc acts as an antioxidant, which strengthens your body’s natural defense mechanisms. Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties and can help combat oxidative stress.*

As Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN, mbg’s vice president of scientific affairs, concludes: “All in all, zinc is an immune essential micromineral via multiple physiological pathways—from host resistance and resilience, to our body’s inflammatory response, and healing—this powerhouse nutrient is showing up for us.”*

You can read more on the expansive benefits of zinc here. Of course, tapping into zinc’s immune support power and other health benefits is based on the assumption that we’re consuming enough each day.

Because your body can’t make zinc (or any mineral for that matter), you have to get it through your diet and supplemental nutrition regimen—and as it stands, 15% of U.S. adults aren’t consuming enough zinc. 

Underscoring this nationally representative zinc intake data, Ferira explains that, “we have about 40 million Americans who need to mind their zinc gap with some real intention, and they don’t even know they have a problem.”

There’s an even higher prevalence of zinc inadequacy in older adults (over the age of 71), and to make matters worse, they also don’t absorb zinc as efficiently, and therefore need to pay special attention to their immune function and overall health.

Integrative allergist and immunologist Heather Moday, M.D. notes vegetarians and vegans may also have a particularly difficult time getting adequate amounts of zinc. This is partly because seafood and meat are the primary food sources of zinc, but also since plant-based sources of zinc are less bioavailable. Ferira explains this phenomenon is thanks to the “intrinsic anti-nutrient compounds, particularly phytates, in plant foods that are known to reduce absorption of zinc and other minerals in the gut.”

In its early stages, zinc inadequacy may not be so obvious, but over time (i.e., as it progresses to insufficiency and frank deficiency), you’ll start to observe the impacts. Loss of appetite and a weakened immune function are often the first signs.

But Ferira, a nutrition scientist and dietitian, emphasizes that these are baseline levels. For optimal health and targeted support (like if you’re focusing on immunity), your body’s need for and utilization of zinc might be even higher—closer to 15 to 30 milligrams, she says. 

The type matters, too. As Ferira explains, the collective science indicates that zinc bisglycinate is the best form of supplemental zinc for several reasons. For one, it’s more bioavailable than other forms because it passes through the gut wall intact.

And it doesn’t stop there. This amino acid chelate form of zinc then positively impacts whole-body zinc levels, too. “This superior bioavailability of zinc bisglycinate vs. other mineral complexes (zinc gluconate, picolinate, and oxide) also translates into higher plasma levels of zinc (i.e., more zinc is absorbed and makes its way to your bloodstream). In other words, zinc bisglycinate improves your overall zinc status better than other zinc supplements,”* Ferira shares.

This chelated form of zinc is also gentler on the stomach, meaning you’re less likely to experience gastrointestinal upset when taking it.

Zinc supplements from high-quality brands are safe and well-tolerated by most people, but if you take too much, it can lead to gastrointestinal upset. If you and your healthcare provider decide that zinc supplements make sense for you, stick to the proper dosages to avoid these side effects.

For most people, zinc consumption shouldn’t exceed 40 milligrams per day (i.e., the tolerable upper intake level) over a prolonged period of time. If you take more than this regularly, it can interfere with your body’s absorption of other important minerals, such as copper, iron, and magnesium, compromising their status in the body.

Zinc supplements can also potentially interact with certain medications, so always speak with your healthcare provider before starting a supplement routine.