Zinc Picolinate

Zinc picolinate is made up of zinc bonded with picolinic acid which acts as the carrier molecule.

Picolinic acid is a naturally occurring derivative of tryptophan, an amino acid found in various foods.

Zinc picolinate has a higher rate of absorption compared to other types of zinc [1] which is why we use it in our supplement.

Other types of zinc include zinc gluconate, citrate, acetate, and oxide.

Choose our zinc picolinate to support:

- Female fertility: Zinc is involved in every stage of female reproductive health. From ovarian egg development to fertilization, foetal growth, and a maintaining a healthy pregnancy [2].

- Male Fertility: Zinc supports sperm growth, sperm motility, and the ability for sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg [3].

- Immune health: Zinc influences immune cell development and a robust, well balanced immune system response. Deficiency is linked to the development of allergies and autoimmune problems [4].

- Normal vision: We need zinc for healthy eyesight and antioxidant protection to delicate eye tissues. Collagen production: All the collagen in your bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, and other connective tissues relies on adequate intake of zinc.

- Mental health: There are zinc receptors throughout your brain and nervous system. Zinc supports brain cell communication and the function of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine [5].

- Wound healing: Wounds heal much slower when there isn’t enough zinc available, which increases the risk of infection [6].

Zinc picolinate can be helpful for a wide range of conditions. You may want to consider supplementing it if you have:

- A diet low in zinc. Diets high in ultra processed foods and low in good quality red meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, and seeds, are likely to be low in zinc.

- Poor digestive function: Optimal levels of stomach acid are needed to access the zinc in foods.

-Medications and health conditions that suppress stomach acid can lead to zinc deficiency.

-Fertility problems.

-Low immune function and frequent infections.

-Low mood, anxiety, or depression.

-Eye conditions, especially those affecting the retina.

-Skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema.

-Slow wound healing.

-Weak hair or nails due to falling levels of collagen. 

When taken as directed zinc picolinate is well tolerated. Do not exceed the recommended dose and do not use for longer than recommended.

We recommend taking zinc with food. It can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Excessive levels of zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and loss of appetite [7].

Higher intakes (50mg+) can, over time, lead to copper deficiency and magnesium imbalance [7].

We recommend you speak with your healthcare practitioner before taking zinc alongside any prescription medication or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Zinc supplements can interact with certain medications including some antibiotics and diuretics [7].

Equally, other drugs may increase your requirement for zinc.

1. Barrie, S.A., Wright, J.V., Pizzorno, J.E., Kutter, E., Barron, P.C. 1987. Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans. Agents Actions. Jun;21(1-2):223-8.

2. Garner, T. B., Hester, J. M., Carothers, A., & Diaz, F. J. 2021. Role of zinc in female reproduction. Biology of Reproduction, 104(5), 976–994. 

3. Allouche-Fitoussi, D., & Breitbart, H. 2020. The Role of Zinc in Male Fertility. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(20), 7796. 

4. Wessels, I., Maywald, M., & Rink, L. 2017. Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(12), 1286. 

5. Mlyniec, K. 2021. Interaction between Zinc, GPR39, BDNF and Neuropeptides in Depression. Current Neuropharmacology. 19(11) 

6. Lin, H., Sermersheim, M., Li, H., U Lee, P. H., Steinberg, S. M., & Ma, J. 2017. Zinc in Wound Healing Modulation. Nutrients, 10(1), 16.

7. National Institutes of Health, n.d. Zinc