Zinc Supplement

Zinc plays a role in many functions of our metabolism, and it is especially essential for the effectiveness of our immune system. It supports the maturation and activity of immune cells like T and B lymphocytes, as well as the synthesis of thymulin, an enzyme. A zinc deficiency also promotes inflammatory states by disrupting cytokine regulation. Thanks to its powerful antioxidant activity, zinc helps protect cells and support immunity. Overall, a lack of zinc weakens our immune defenses.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for healthy skin. It supports wound healing and is therefore involved in many skin concerns. Its effectiveness against acne, in particular, is now well documented, helping to reduce blemishes.

Zinc is an essential trace element for human fertility and reproduction. Beyond its role in testosterone synthesis, it supports the healthy development of the testes, epididymis, and prostate. It also plays a key role in sperm development, maturation, and motility, as well as in cell division. In addition, zinc helps maintain normal testosterone levels.

Zinc is also involved in carbohydrate metabolism, brain function, fatty acid metabolism, acid-base metabolism, protein synthesis, blood clotting, and vision. It plays a role in child growth and fetal development during pregnancy, making it an excellent choice of supplement for pregnant women. Zinc also contributes to maintaining normal bones.

Supplementing with zinc, for example by taking our zinc supplement, can help reduce the risk of deficiency.

Zinc is a micronutrient, or mineral, that belongs to the trace element family, which means the body holds only small amounts of it. After iron, zinc is the most abundant trace element in the body, totaling around 2 to 3 g. In biology, zinc typically exists as the divalent cation Zn2+.

Zinc is essential to many of the body's functions and systems. It is involved in the activity of more than 300 enzymes and over 1,000 transcription factors (which regulate gene expression). It notably contributes to the normal function of the immune system, skin repair mechanisms, and thyroid function. In short, zinc can be described as:

• A structural component,
• A catalytic factor,
• A signaling mediator.

The essential role of zinc in animal growth was first discovered in the 1960s, though the consequences of deficiency were still unknown in clinical medicine at the time. It wasn't until 1974 that the first zinc intake recommendations were established, following the demonstration of zinc's therapeutic effects [1].

In our diet, zinc is found mainly in seafood (fish and shellfish) and meat (including organ meats), followed by cheese and legumes. Zinc intake is generally sufficient overall, but our eating habits and the specifics of our diet largely determine our zinc status (for example, reducing or eliminating animal products).

Zinc is essential to basic cellular functions like growth, differentiation, and survival, which gives it a major overall role in our health:

• Metabolic functions,
• Cell development,
• Reproductive system,
• Cell defense,
• Neuronal function,
• Protein synthesis,
• Immune system,
• Thyroid function,
• Wound healing,
• Smell and taste,
• And blood clotting.

More specifically, zinc is involved in the response to oxidative stress, immune response, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, and cell cycle progression. Zinc is also essential for protein synthesis and collagen synthesis, contributing to skin health.

A review published in early 2022 provides a recent overview of the link between zinc and health [4]. To date, zinc intake is well documented in relation to pregnancy, growth, and metabolism in general. In this last area, zinc supplementation has been associated with a reduced risk of certain metabolic imbalances.

Globally, the prevalence of zinc deficiency is estimated at 17% [5], with developing countries disproportionately affected. This deficiency generally affects many organs, notably causing immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infections. Note that there is no point in supplementing with excess zinc on a daily basis, especially since high intakes promote digestive issues [6].

Many dietary factors can affect the bioavailability of the zinc we consume. Among them, phytates, molecules found in plant-based sources (grains, legumes, oilseeds), reduce zinc absorption. In fact, nutritional zinc guidelines have been adjusted based on dietary phytate levels to ensure adequate intake (see table below) [7].

*Phytates are provided by the diet via phosphorus.
**Population Reference Intakes (PRIs) set by EFSA.

Based on these nutritional benchmarks, several observations can be made:

• Needs are higher in adult men,
• Needs increase during the perinatal period and breastfeeding,
• Needs should be adjusted based on phytate intake (from plant sources), and regardless of whether zinc comes from animal or plant sources, the presence of phytates always limits dietary zinc absorption.

Zinc, whether from food or a zinc supplement, is mainly absorbed in the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum of the small intestine, just after the stomach and before the rest of the intestine.

Only 0.1% of zinc is found in the blood serum. This trace element is mainly stored in:

• skeletal muscle (around 60%),
• bones (around 30%),
• skin and the liver (around 5% each).

More broadly, it is distributed throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, and kidneys, in smaller amounts (<1%) [8,9]. The body doesn't readily mobilize this stored zinc to meet its needs, which is why our daily diet plays a key role in our zinc intake.

Zinc homeostasis in the body is maintained by specific zinc transporters (ZIP transporters for zinc entry into the cell or organelle, and ZnT transporters for zinc exit from the cell or organelle) and metallothioneins (transport proteins). This regulation helps maintain the intracellular zinc levels needed for cells to function.

In the intestine, zinc absorption is also managed by transporters. Overall balance depends on dietary intake (exogenous), reabsorption (endogenous), and excretion through urine or feces. To a lesser extent, sweat and skin shedding also contribute to zinc balance.

Food provides different sources of zinc in different food matrices (the structure and composition of the food). As mentioned above, zinc absorption is affected by dietary factors that can limit it, such as phytates. Phytates are the main inhibitor of zinc absorption. Conversely, dietary protein intake, especially from animal sources, increases zinc bioavailability.

Other factors also influence zinc bioavailability and should be taken into account when choosing a good zinc supplement:

1/ The solubility of the zinc form: while an individual's zinc status isn't necessarily a factor to consider, zinc absorption is largely determined by its solubility in the intestine. This solubility, in turn, depends on the chemical form of zinc and the presence of specific inhibitors or enhancers of zinc absorption.

2/ The amount consumed: the lower the intake, the higher the absorption. An average zinc absorption rate of 33% has been reported. For insoluble minerals like zinc, binding them to carriers or chelators has a positive effect on both their solubility and dispersion, and therefore their absorption.

With minerals, absorption and tolerance are the key criteria to look for.

Zinc is typically available in the form of zinc salts: zinc bisglycinate, zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, zinc sulfate, zinc picolinate, zinc orotate, zinc citrate, and more. Among these salts, the picolinate and gluconate forms, and especially bisglycinate, have better bioavailability compared to zinc oxide.

For our zinc formula, designed for immunity and fertility, we specifically combined 2 forms of zinc for their high bioavailability:

• Zinc bisglycinate: a highly bioavailable and soluble form of zinc, thanks to its bond with two glycine molecules. It delivers at least 20% elemental zinc. The bisglycinate behind its optimal bioavailability is a true chelate, guaranteed by Albion's TRAACS® technology, not a simple mixture like in many other products.
• Liposomal zinc oxide: encapsulating zinc oxide in fatty acids reduces zinc's interactions with surrounding factors that would otherwise limit its absorption.

In just 1 capsule, these 2 forms provide 10 mg of elemental zinc, or 100% of the NRV, while ensuring good digestive tolerance.

To this high-absorption zinc duo, we added a highly bioavailable selenium yeast for reinforced action on the immune system and cognitive health [12,13].

A selenium deficiency promotes a decrease in the proliferation of immune cells (T and B lymphocytes) and affects the immune system through reduced antibody (immunoglobulin) production. Selenium also contributes to the antioxidant response by being part of the formation of selenoproteins. In short, selenium strongly influences the anti-inflammatory and immune response [14]. A selenium intake is therefore a valuable complement to our zinc duo.