Zinc Picolinate
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Zinc Picolinate (Zinc picolinate (C₁₂H₈N₂O₄Zn)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 343 participants, researched for Bioavailability & Absorption, Immune Support, Skin Health & Acne and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Bioavailability & Absorption
ModerateImmune Support
StrongSkin Health & Acne
ModerateAntioxidant & Anti-inflammatory
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Bioavailability & Absorption
To compare absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, controlled
Purpose
To compare absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate.
Dose
50 mg elemental zinc from each form
Participants
15 healthy women
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Zinc picolinate showed significantly greater absorption and retention than zinc gluconate or zinc citrate, as measured by changes in hair, urine, and serum zinc.
How They Measured It
Serum zinc levels, urinary zinc excretion, hair zinc content
To compare bioavailability of zinc picolinate vs zinc sulfate using stable isotope technique.
Study Type
Crossover bioavailability study
Purpose
To compare bioavailability of zinc picolinate vs zinc sulfate using stable isotope technique.
Dose
15 mg elemental zinc from each form
Participants
20 healthy adults
Duration
Single-dose crossover
Results
Zinc picolinate showed 20% higher fractional absorption than zinc sulfate. Plasma zinc appearance was faster and AUC was significantly higher with picolinate form.
How They Measured It
Zinc absorption (dual stable isotope method), plasma zinc kinetics
Immune Support
To evaluate zinc picolinate on immune function and common cold duration.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate on immune function and common cold duration.
Dose
30 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
64 healthy adults during cold season
Duration
3 months
Results
Zinc picolinate supplementation significantly reduced cold duration (4.5 vs 7.1 days) and severity. NK cell activity and T-cell proliferation improved.
How They Measured It
Cold duration and severity, NK cell activity, T-cell counts
To evaluate zinc picolinate supplementation on immune function in elderly.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate supplementation on immune function in elderly.
Dose
45 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
50 elderly volunteers (>65 years)
Duration
12 months
Results
Zinc picolinate significantly reduced infection incidence. T-cell function and IL-2 production increased. Thymulin activity was restored to near-normal levels.
How They Measured It
Incidence of infections, T-cell subsets, IL-2, thymulin activity
Skin Health & Acne
To evaluate zinc picolinate supplementation on acne severity.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate supplementation on acne severity.
Dose
30 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
54 patients with mild-moderate acne vulgaris
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Zinc picolinate significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesion count by 49.8% vs 10.3% placebo. Acne severity grade improved significantly.
How They Measured It
Acne lesion count (inflammatory and non-inflammatory), acne severity grading
To evaluate zinc picolinate on wound healing and skin integrity in zinc-deficient patients.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate on wound healing and skin integrity in zinc-deficient patients.
Dose
50 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
40 patients with chronic wounds and low serum zinc
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Zinc picolinate significantly accelerated wound healing rate and improved serum zinc levels. Collagen synthesis markers increased in the zinc-supplemented group.
How They Measured It
Wound healing rate, serum zinc, dermal collagen synthesis markers
Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory
To evaluate zinc picolinate on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.
Dose
30 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
40 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Zinc picolinate significantly reduced MDA and hs-CRP levels while increasing SOD activity, indicating improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status.
How They Measured It
MDA (lipid peroxidation), SOD activity, hs-CRP, TNF-alpha
To evaluate zinc picolinate on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes patients.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate zinc picolinate on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes patients.
Dose
30 mg/day zinc picolinate
Participants
60 patients with type 2 diabetes
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Zinc picolinate significantly improved serum zinc levels, reduced 8-OHdG (DNA damage marker), and increased antioxidant enzyme activities compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Serum zinc, 8-OHdG, SOD, GPx, hs-CRP
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zinc Picolinate research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Zinc Picolinate (Zinc picolinate (C₁₂H₈N₂O₄Zn)), involving 343 total participants. Research covers Zinc absorption, Immune support, Skin health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Zinc Picolinate has been researched for: Zinc absorption, Immune support, Skin health, Antioxidant. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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