Zinc citrate is a trace mineral that gets a lot of buzz around cold and flu season. This trace mineral is advertised to shorten the life of your colds, but there is so much more to it.
Zinc is not stored in the body so you need to consume it as part of a healthy diet. It can be found in foods like oysters, crab, chicken, beef, nuts, and dairy. The Recommended Daily Allowance as listed on the USDA website is at least 10 mg.
If you cannot get enough zinc from your diet, it is widely available in supplement form such as zinc citrate. Zinc citrate is a salt form of zinc which means it is easily absorbed by the body.
Zinc citrate is needed for bone structure, normal fetal development, eye health, healing of wounds, and healthy skin. It also helps boost the immune system.
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Zinc Citrate and the Immune System Zinc citrate increases your body’s production of T-cells. T-cells are the white blood cells responsible for attacking infections. Many companies make lozenges and nasal swabs with zinc citrate. They claim these lozenges and swabs will reduce the sever... more
Zinc citrate increases your body’s production of T-cells. T-cells are the white blood cells responsible for attacking infections.
Many companies make lozenges and nasal swabs with zinc citrate. They claim these lozenges and swabs will reduce the severity and length of colds if taken within 24 hours of start of symptoms.
In a report published by Oregon State University, clinical trials on the effectiveness of these products are inconclusive. Five out of ten studies conducted showed that the products did in fact shorten recovery time. The other five studies saw no difference in length or severity compared to placebo.
Zinc citrate has been shown to help protect from respiratory tract illnesses or pneumonia. Studies showed a decrease in the amount of times a year patients prone to these infections got sick.
Zinc citrate is an important supplement for the elderly whose immune system has slowed due to age. This is also because they are not able to absorb zinc as easily from diet alone.
The American Optometric Association says that zinc is vital for the transportation of vitamin A to the retina where it produces melanin. Zinc deficiency has been linked to poor night vision, cloudy cataracts, and overall impaired vision.
Zinc citrate is also highly recommended for people at high risk for developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Studies were conducted by the National Eye Institute.
They gave participants 40-80 mg of zinc citrate combined with beta carotene and vitamins E and C daily. The results showed progression of AMD was slowed by 25%. Vision loss was also slowed by 19%.
Because such high doses of zinc may be dangerous over a period of time, studies are being conducted on lower doses. They want to find the lowest dose possible to receive benefits.
Zinc citrate is used to help heal wounds and control inflammation. It can be used to treat conditions like acne.
Zinc citrate is also affordable and easy to use. Zinc citrate supplements may be a great natural alternative to some acne medications.
According to the Livestrong website, while zinc citrate supplements may help, studies show that topical zinc supplements had little effectiveness. They also caused some skin irritation.
You may find zinc citrate in toothpaste as well. It is a natural antibacterial that stops the growth of gingivitis causing bacteria.
Zinc citrate also prevents plaque from hardening leading to tartar build up. Zinc citrate is also used in mouthwashes.
Zinc citrate may also be found in deodorants. Zinc’s antibacterial properties kill odor causing bacteria.
Zinc citrate has a rating of 2 out of 10 for safety from the Environmental Working Group. This rating means that it is not much of a hazard when used in cosmetic and skin care products.
Zinc citrate is considered safe for most people when taken in small doses according to Web MD. Side effects may include nausea, metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects.
You may experience stinging, burning, tingling, and itching if you use zinc on open wounds or burns.
When taken with antibiotics, zinc citrate may decrease effectiveness. Zinc can bind to certain antibiotics and flush them out of the body before they can be absorbed.
It is possible to have too much zinc in the body. Large doses of zinc citrate may be toxic. Symptoms of zinc toxicity may be vomiting, dizziness, chest pain, and breathing difficulties.
Loss of consciousness or yellowing of skin or eyes is also possible. If you have any of these symptoms seek medical attention right away.
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| Diarrhea |
| Vomiting |
| Nausea |
| Skin Irritation |
| Metallic Taste |
| Toxicity In High Doses |
| Atomic Number 30 |
| Acne |
| Antibacterial |
| Anti-inflammatory |
| Bone Health |
| Colds |
| Eyesight |
| Macular Degeneration |
| Respiratory Ailments |
| Wound Healing |
| Pneumonia |