Zinc

Evidence by condition

Each grade reflects the research for Zinc and that condition specifically.

• A

  Age-related macular degeneration

  As part of the AREDS antioxidant-plus-zinc formula, zinc cuts progression to advanced AMD by ~25% in high-risk eyes — the strongest, most replicated AMD nutrition evidence (effect is for the combination, not zinc alone).

  2 citation s

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8
    Randomized trial 2001 · n=3,640 · Archives of Ophthalmology · PMID 11594942 · DOI 10.1001/archopht.119.10.1417
  • Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration
    Systematic review 2017 · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 28756618 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD000254.pub4
• B

  Common cold

  High-dose zinc lozenges started early may shorten a cold by a couple of days.

  2 citation s

  • Zinc acetate lozenges for treating the common cold: an individual patient data meta-analysis
    Meta-analysis 2017 · n=199 · British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology · PMID 27378206 · DOI 10.1111/bcp.13057
  • Common Cold
    MedlinePlus · accessed 2026-06-21
• B

  Acne vulgaris

  Oral zinc modestly reduces inflammatory acne lesions and acne patients tend to have lower serum zinc; the effect is smaller than standard antibiotics or retinoids.

  2 citation s

  • Serum zinc levels and efficacy of zinc treatment in acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Meta-analysis 2020 · Dermatologic Therapy · PMID 32860489 · DOI 10.1111/dth.14252
  • The clinical effects of zinc as a topical or oral agent on the clinical response and pathophysiologic mechanisms of acne: a systematic review of the literature
    Systematic review 2013 · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · PMID 23652948