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Helps reduce free radical damage to body cells
Zinc is a powerful antioxidant that can help limit free radical damage. Numerous studies have established that zinc lowers the levels of oxidative stress in the body2. Oxidative stress can do damage to almost every part of the body.

Supports wound healing and skin health
Zinc plays a role in maintaining skin integrity and structure due to its involvement in creating new skin tissue. When zinc levels are low, there are problems creating new skin tissue and this can result in a skin that looks cracked, glazed and fissured around the mouth and the hands; or in poor wound healing. Research shows that people with chronic wounds or ulcers often have lower zinc levels; and that supplementing with zinc can help improve their wound healing3,4. Zinc also helps improve the skin in those suffering from acne5 . Several studies have found that taking a zinc supplement for 12 weeks can help improve acne significantly6,7.

Supports eye health
Two large eye health studies, AREDS and AREDS 2, have shown that supplementing with zinc can decrease the risk at Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by 25% and subsequent vision loss by 19%. It is interesting to note that the risk of mortality was reduced by 27% of those participating in the AREDS studies. This may be due to the antioxidant properties of zinc that help improve general health and wellbeing as well as eye health8.

Supports nervous system function
Zinc plays an essential role in brain development and proper brain function at every stage of life. A deficiency in Zinc can result in symptoms such as poor memory, malaise, or higher susceptibility to stress9.

Zinc can also help improve
moods through its anti-oxidant properties. Research hypothesises that oxidative stress and inflammation are underlying causes for depression, and that by supplementing with zinc, oxidative stress and inflammation reduce, therefore improving moods10.

It is also believed that zinc has a positive influence on neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, our ‘feel-good’ hormones, and helps improvedepression that way as well11,12.

Supports immune system health and immune system function
Zinc deficiency can severely impair the immune system and increase susceptibility to viruses and bacteria13. Zinc can help reduce the symptoms of the common cold in several ways. First of all, it can stop the rhinovirus (the virus that causes the common cold) from binding to cells and replicating14. Secondly, research shows that supplementing with zinc can shorten the duration of a runny or blocked nose, a scratchy or sore throat and cough significantly15,16.

Supports male and female fertility
Zinc is important for both male and female fertility. For women, it is important because zinc is a key-nutrient for growth and development of the foetus17,18; and because it helps the egg mature and be ready for fertilisation19. Low zinc levels can negatively affect egg quality and thus female fertility.

For men, low zinc levels can impact on several areas of fertility, including prostate health, sperm quality and motility20. Research has found that men who take a zinc supplement have a higher sperm count than those who don’t21. Other studies have revealed that poor zinc intake may be a risk factor for low quality of sperm and male infertility22,23 and that low zinc levels are associated with poor sperm motility and sperm quality24,25, leading to problems with male fertility.