Zinc
Episodes
Dr. Rhonda Patrick explores supplemental tyrosine, lion's mane, cordyceps, aging tests, and sunscreen's efficacy and safety in a Q&A.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
In this Q&A clip, Rhonda discusses Quercetin, the impact of it's antiviral activity, and it's role as a zinc ionophore.
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick explores supplemental tyrosine, lion's mane, cordyceps, aging tests, and sunscreen's efficacy and safety in a Q&A.
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Rhonda Vitamin D Heart Disease Pregnancy Vaccine Skin Zinc Time-Restricted Eating Blood Sugar COVID-19 Breast MilkDr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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In this Q&A clip, Rhonda discusses Quercetin, the impact of it's antiviral activity, and it's role as a zinc ionophore.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the trace element zinc and its role in the immune system.
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COVID-19 Vitamin D Nutrition Exercise Microbiome Sleep Vitamin C Omega-3 Inflammation Immune System Virus Micronutrients Vitamin E Vaccine Genetics Testosterone Estrogen Zinc Fiber AutoimmunityCOVID-19 Q&A Part 2: Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. answers subscriber questions in a multi-part series.
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick makes her ninth appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
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Rhonda Brain Vitamin C Immune System Magnesium Heat Stress Muscle Cold Stress Vitamin K Zinc Sulforaphane Sauna Vegetarian COVID-19 Cocoa LactateDr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
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Dr. Dale Bredesen describes the role that zinc status plays in the development of the toxic form of Alzheimer's disease.
Topic Pages
News & Publications
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Zinc improves outcomes of COVID-19. www.theladders.com
Zinc is an essential nutrient that plays key roles in immune function. Sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, nuts, beans, and seafood. Findings presented at the recent European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Conference on Coronavirus Disease suggest that zinc provides protection against COVID-19.
The study involved 249 adults (average age, 63 years) who had been hospitalized in early 2020 for COVID-19-related treatment. The authors of the study analyzed blood samples from the patients to determine their serum zinc levels and inflammatory status, as measured by interleukin-6 (IL-6).
The analyses revealed that 21 of the patients died from complications associated with COVID-19. The average zinc level among the patients 61 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). (Normal serum zinc concentrations range between 70 and 100 mcg/dL.) Poor zinc status was linked with worse outcomes. Zinc levels among patients who survived averaged 63 mcg/dL, but among those died, levels averaged 43 mcg/dL, suggesting that zinc plays an important role in improving outcomes of COVID-19. Lower zinc levels also correlated with higher levels of IL-6, indicative of systemic inflammation.
It’s noteworthy that zinc exists as a divalent cation (a positively charged ion) and cannot enter cells without a transporter. Uptake of zinc requires an ionophore, a molecule that can transport ions across a lipid membrane. Quercetin, a bioactive compound present in a variety of fruits and vegetables, especially apples and onions, is a zinc ionophore. Consuming zinc-rich foods along with quercetin-rich foods may boost zinc’s effectiveness. You can read more about quercetin in our overview article.
[Link to press release.]
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Zinc reduces the duration and incidence of the common cold. www.sciencedaily.com
The common cold is due to a viral infection of the upper respiratory system. It is characterized by a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing that lasts approximately one week. The average person has four to six colds per year. A 2011 review found that zinc can reduce the duration and incidence of the common cold.
Zinc is an essential mineral. It plays roles in immune function, wound healing, eye health, and the synthesis of protein and DNA. Previous research demonstrates that zinc inhibits the replication of cold viruses.
The review drew on data from 13 randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that provided zinc for at least five consecutive days as a therapy for colds and two trials that provided zinc for at least five months as a measure to prevent colds. More than 1,300 people were involved in the various studies.
The authors of the review found a great deal of heterogeneity in the findings of the studies. They attributed this to differences in the nature of the different zinc formulations and dose range, the timing of the intervention (ranging from 24 to 48 hours), and characteristics of the study population (children versus adults). However, they concluded that zinc (as lozenges or syrup) reduced the duration and symptoms of a cold in otherwise healthy people when given at the onset of symptoms. When given for at least five months, zinc also reduced the incidence of colds by 37 percent.
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Higher zinc status reduced incidence and duration of pneumonia among nursing home residents. www.sciencedaily.com
Elderly adults, especially those living in nursing homes, often have impaired immune function, which increases their susceptibility to respiratory infections and subsequent pneumonia. A 2007 study found that higher zinc status among elderly nursing home patients was associated with reduced incidence and duration of pneumonia.
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays critical roles in modulating the body’s immune response. It influences T-cell activity, cytokine production, and phagocytosis. Zinc deficiency is associated with poor immune function.
The observational study involved nearly 600 nursing home residents living in 33 facilities across the Boston, Massachusetts area. The participants were part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled vitamin E supplementation trial in which they received a multivitamin supplement providing 50 percent of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, daily for one year. The authors of the study measured the participants' baseline and final plasma zinc levels and categorized them as low (less than 70 mcg/dL) or normal (greater than or equal to 70 mcg/dL). They also tracked the incidence and duration of pneumonia as well as other measures associated with the illness, such as the number of new antibiotic prescriptions, duration of antibiotic use, and death due to pneumonia or other causes.
The results of the study revealed that nursing home residents whose plasma zinc levels were normal were more than 50 percent less likely to develop pneumonia. If they did develop pneumonia, they recovered sooner and typically required half as many antibiotic prescriptions. The number of deaths from all causes was 30 percent lower among those with normal zinc levels, as well.
These findings underscore the need for maintaining optimal zinc levels in elderly patients, especially those living in nursing homes, and suggests that supplemental zinc is beneficial in reducing the risk and severity of pneumonia.
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Zinc acetate and zinc gluconate lozenges equally effective at reducing duration of the common cold. www.sciencedaily.com
The average cold lasts approximately one week. Evidence suggests that zinc lozenges reduce the duration and severity of a cold, but controversy exists regarding the optimal form of zinc delivery. Findings from a 2017 meta-analysis suggest that the form of zinc lozenges is not important.
Zinc lozenges commonly provide zinc as either zinc gluconate or zinc acetate. The lozenges often contain sweeteners (natural or artificial), vitamins (typically vitamin C), bioactive compounds such as citric acid, and/or other ingredients. Evidence suggests that citric acid binds zinc ions, thereby reducing zinc’s effectiveness.
The authors of the meta-analysis drew on data from seven placebo-controlled zinc lozenge trials involving 575 children and adults. The doses used in the studies ranged from 80 to 207 milligrams per day, using zinc gluconate (four trials) and zinc acetate (three trials).
Their analysis revealed that zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of colds by 40 percent, and zinc gluconate lozenges shortened colds by 28 percent. The analysis also demonstrated that dose had very little influence on the effectiveness of zinc lozenges in reducing the duration of a cold, with both high and low doses reducing duration by about one-third. The authors of the analysis concluded that zinc lozenges delivering doses greater than 80 milligrams per day reduce the duration of a cold, regardless of the form of zinc provided, as long as the lozenge does not contain ingredients that bind zinc.