Overview

Fish, poultry, and red meat are all frequent sources of zinc, a vital trace element. It is essential for human health, development, and taste in trace levels.

The human body has zinc in every cell. Extra zinc cannot be stored by the body; thus, it must be consumed through diet. It is necessary for several processes, including thyroid function, blood clotting, wound healing, and immunity. Additionally, it is essential for keeping eyesight and may have antiviral properties.

Wilson disease, diarrhea, and zinc deficiency are all frequently treated with zinc. Other uses for zinc include treating burns, anorexia, diabetes, and acne. Its use for some of these disorders is supported by some scientific data. However, there isn't enough solid scientific data to back up its usage for the majority. Additionally, there is no solid evidence to support the use of zinc for COVID-19.

Uses & Effectiveness

Effective for

• a lack of zinc. People who are zinc deficient can raise their zinc levels by taking zinc or receiving zinc intravenously. However, it is not advised to frequently use zinc supplements. Only medical professionals are authorized to administer IV products.

 Likely Effective for

• Diarrhea. Zinc supplementation shortens and lessens the severity of diarrhea in malnourished kids. The most often utilized dosage of zinc is 20 milligrams per day. However, dosages of 5–10 mg also appear to be effective and reduce vomiting.
• Wilson diarrhea disease is a hereditary condition that results in copper accumulation in several organs. Oral zinc supplementation reduces this condition's symptoms. Zinc increases the amount of copper the body produces while preventing copper from being absorbed.

• Acne. Acne may be treated by ingesting zinc. However, it's not clear how zinc stacks up against drugs for acne like tetracycline or minocycline. It doesn't appear to help to apply zinc to the skin by itself as an ointment.
• a condition caused by a lack of zinc (acrodermatitis enteropathica). Oral zinc supplementation appears to aid with this condition's symptoms.
• Age-related macular degeneration, often known as AMD, is an eye condition that causes visual loss in older persons. Oral zinc supplementation, particularly when combined with antioxidant vitamins, may help decrease vision loss and stop age-related vision loss from progressing in high-risk individuals.
• ADHD is an attention deficit hyperactivity condition. When used with ADHD medication, oral zinc supplementation in children may help lessen some ADHD symptoms.
• growth in kids. Oral zinc supplementation during pregnancy appears to aid in the baby's development during the first year of life.
• A typical cold. Adults' colds can be shortened by sucking on lozenges containing zinc gluconate or zinc acetate. However, it's unclear if zinc aids in cold prevention.
• COVID-19 is the coronavirus disease of 2019. If zinc is administered intravenously or orally to COVID-19 patients, the risk of mortality may be reduced. However, oral zinc supplementation does not appear to hasten COVID-19 recovery in individuals who have not been hospitalized.
• Depression. Together with antidepressants, oral zinc supplementation appears to lessen depression. It could also be beneficial for those who don't react well to antidepressant-only therapy.
• Diabetes. People with diabetes may have a minor improvement in blood sugar management after taking zinc orally.
• Baby rash. Infants' oral zinc gluconate administration appears to hasten nappy rash recovery. Applying zinc oxide paste also appears to be beneficial. However, it doesn't appear to be as effective as using a 2% eosin solution.
• a minor gum condition known as gingivitis. Gingivitis appears to be prevented by using toothpaste containing zinc, whether or whether they also include an antibacterial ingredient.
• Poor breath. Bad breath can be lessened by chewing gum, eating candy, or using a zinc-containing mouthwash.
• Herpes labialis, or cold sores. The length and severity of cold sores appear to be diminished when zinc sulfate or zinc oxide is applied to the skin, either alone or in combination with other medicines.
• a diminished sense of taste (hypogeusia). The majority of those who have this problem find that taking zinc orally enhances their ability to taste food.
• Leishmania lesions are skin infections brought on by the parasite Leishmania. When a person has this disease, zinc sulfate can be taken orally or applied topically as a solution to lesions to speed up the healing process. However, it doesn't appear to be as effective as standard therapies. All injections must be administered by a medical professional.
• Leprosy. Oral zinc supplementation in addition to anti-leprosy medications appears to aid in the treatment of leprosy.
• birth weights of less than 2500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) for newborns. These newborns' weight and height tend to rise when given oral zinc. However, consuming zinc throughout pregnancy does not show to help boost newborn weight.
• Stomach ulcers. Taking zinc acetate by mouth seems to help treat and prevent stomach ulcers.
• Pneumonia. Taking zinc by mouth might help prevent pneumonia in some children. But it doesn't seem to help children who already have pneumonia.
• Growth and development in premature infants. Giving oral zinc to these infants seems to help increase weight and height.
• Bed sores (pressure ulcers). Applying zinc paste to the skin appears to help heal bed sores. Taking zinc by mouth along with vitamin C and arginine might also help.
• Crohn's disease. When a person has a zinc deficit, oral zinc supplementation seems to help lessen the symptoms of sickle cell disease.
  Warts.
• The use of zinc ointment to treat warts seems to be just as successful as more traditional methods. Oral zinc sulfate looks to be beneficial as well.

Possibly Ineffective for

• Alopecia areata, or patchy hair loss. Zinc used orally doesn't appear to aid in hair loss.
• CF. Cystic fibrosis. Oral zinc supplementation has no positive effect on lung function in cystic fibrosis-affected children or adolescents.
• HIV/AIDS. Zinc taken orally does not affect immune system performance or mortality risk in HIV-positive individuals.
• HIV/AIDS-related problems during pregnancy. Oral zinc supplementation does not appear to lower the risk of HIV transmission to the fetus or avoid other problems during pregnancy.
• HIV/AIDS patients who are losing weight without their will. In patients with this illness, oral zinc supplementation does not seem to stop diarrhea or mortality.
• development in children. Giving zinc orally to newborns or kids who are at risk of having low zinc levels doesn't appear to enhance growth. However, ingesting zinc while pregnant may cause the baby to develop more quickly in the first year.
• Chronic digestive system inflammation (also known as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD). Zinc used orally does not appear to be effective in treating IBD.
• influenza (flu). Oral zinc supplementation doesn't appear to enhance immune defenses against the flu.
• Otitis media, an ear infection. Children's ear infections do not appear to be prevented by oral zinc administration.
• Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. The risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy does not appear to be reduced by taking zinc.
• breast cancer. Oral zinc supplementation does not show to lower chance of developing prostate cancer.
• Psoriasis causes scaly, itchy skin. Zinc used orally does not appear to be effective in treating psoriasis.
• RA, or rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis does not appear to be improved by oral zinc supplementation.
• issues with the genitalia that limit sexual enjoyment. Zinc taken orally has little effect on guys with sexual dysfunction brought on by renal illness.
• Tinnitus is ringing in the ears. Ringing in the ears does not appear to be improved by oral zinc administration.

Likely Ineffective for

•  Malaria. In impoverished nations, oral zinc supplementation does not help prevent or cure malaria in malnourished children.

Other uses of zinc are being considered, but there isn't enough solid evidence to indicate if they would be beneficial.