The gentle one
Zinc bisglycinate (chelated)
Your body absorbs it well and it's easy on the stomach.
Good for: Everyday use · Easy on the stomach
What variations of zinc exist?
Supports immunity, skin, wound healing, thyroid function, and hormone production. It comes in 4 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
The practitioner favorite
Zinc picolinate
Your body absorbs it well, and it's common in practitioner formulas.
Good for: Everyday use
- Also consider
- Budget-friendly: the budget one (Zinc citrate / gluconate)
Every form, in plain words
The gentle one
Zinc bisglycinate (chelated)
Your body absorbs it well and it's easy on the stomach.
Good for: Everyday use · Easy on the stomach
The practitioner favorite
Zinc picolinate
Your body absorbs it well, and it's common in practitioner formulas.
Good for: Everyday use
The budget one
Zinc citrate / gluconate
Absorbs decently and costs less.
Good for: Budget-friendly
Usually skip
- The poorly absorbed one (Zinc oxide)Your body absorbs very little of it.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Zinc bisglycinate' on the label (the gentle one)
- Look for 'Zinc picolinate' on the label (the practitioner favorite)
Watch out for
- More than 40 mg a day for months without any copper added
- Zinc nasal sprays or gels, which are linked to losing your sense of smell
Check with your provider first if…
- You'll take it long term. Zinc lowers copper, which can cause anemia or nerve symptoms.
- You take certain antibiotics or penicillamine. Take them at different times.
- It upsets your stomach. Taking it with food often helps.
In Dr. Lesher's store
7 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have zinc. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™
Has bisglycinate (the gentle one)
7.5 mg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™ Postnatal Multi
Has bisglycinate (the gentle one)
6 mg per serving
Metagenics
Immune Active™
Has bisglycinate (the gentle one)
15 mg per serving
Patient One MediNutritionals
GastroOne Gut Health Formula
91 mg per serving
Nutritional Fundamentals for Health
GI Repair SAP
17 mg per serving
Wellex
Papillex
5.5 mg per serving
Vital Nutrients
GI Repair Powder
8 mg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.