Zinc picolinate vs zinc gluconate
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Zinc Picolinate vs Zinc Gluconate: A Comparative Analysis
Zinc Absorption Efficiency
Zinc Picolinate Superior Absorption
Research indicates that zinc picolinate is more effectively absorbed by the human body compared to zinc gluconate. In a study involving 15 healthy volunteers, zinc picolinate significantly increased zinc levels in hair, urine, and erythrocytes after four weeks of supplementation, while zinc gluconate did not show significant changes in these parameters1. This suggests that zinc picolinate may be a more efficient form of zinc supplementation for improving zinc status in the body.
Zinc Gluconate Absorption
In contrast, zinc gluconate did not significantly alter zinc levels in hair, urine, or erythrocytes in the same study1. This indicates that zinc gluconate may not be as effective as zinc picolinate in enhancing zinc absorption and retention in the body.
Therapeutic Efficacy in Taste Disorders
Zinc Picolinate in Taste Disorders
A study focusing on patients with idiopathic and zinc-deficient taste disorders found that zinc picolinate was effective in improving taste function. This study was conducted based on previous findings that picolinic acid enhances zinc absorption2. The results showed that zinc picolinate could be beneficial for patients suffering from taste disorders, particularly those related to zinc deficiency.
Zinc Gluconate in Taste Disorders
Earlier research on zinc gluconate for taste disorders did not find a significant difference between zinc gluconate and placebo in general taste disorder patients. However, it did show some efficacy in patients with idiopathic and zinc-deficient taste disorders2. This suggests that while zinc gluconate may have some therapeutic benefits, it might not be as broadly effective as zinc picolinate.
Acute Zinc Uptake
Zinc Tolerance Test Results
In a zinc tolerance test comparing four zinc complexes, including zinc picolinate and zinc gluconate, zinc glycinate showed the highest acute uptake, followed by zinc gluconate, with zinc picolinate and zinc oxide showing similar, lower levels of uptake3. This indicates that while zinc picolinate is effective for long-term absorption, it may not be the best option for immediate zinc uptake compared to other forms like zinc glycinate.
Conclusion
Overall, zinc picolinate appears to be more effective than zinc gluconate in terms of long-term absorption and therapeutic efficacy, particularly for conditions like taste disorders related to zinc deficiency. However, for acute zinc uptake, zinc gluconate may perform better than zinc picolinate. These findings suggest that the choice between zinc picolinate and zinc gluconate should be based on the specific health needs and absorption goals of the individual.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans
Zinc absorption in humans can be improved by complexing zinc with picolinic acid, resulting in increased levels in hair, urine, and erythrocyte compared to gluconate, citrate, and placebo.
RCTDouble-Blind Study of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Zinc Picolinate in Taste Disorder: Preliminary Report
Zinc picolinate shows potential therapeutic efficacy in patients with idiopathic and zinc-deficient taste disorders, improving taste examination and subjective symptoms.
RCTComparison of Four Commercially Available Zinc Supplements for Performance in a Zinc Tolerance Test
Zinc glycinate showed the best acute uptake of the four complexes tested, with a higher plasma zinc concentration and erythrocyte zinc concentration compared to gluconate and picolinate.
Non-RCTEffect of citrate, glutathione and picolinate on zinc transport by brush border membrane vesicles from rat intestine.
Citrate, glutathione, and picolinate do not enhance zinc transport across the brush border surface of the small intestine of the rat.
In Vitro StudyThe Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation in Taste Disorder Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for taste disorders in patients with zinc deficiency, idiopathic taste disorders, and chronic renal failure when given in high doses for up to six months.
Meta-AnalysisFailure of zinc gluconate in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections
Zinc gluconate may slightly reduce symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infections, but its clinical significance and high incidence of adverse effects make it unrecommendable for treatment.
RCT
Highly CitedZinc Absorption by Young Adults from Supplemental Zinc Citrate Is Comparable with That from Zinc Gluconate and Higher than from Zinc Oxide123
Zinc citrate supplements are as well absorbed by healthy adults as zinc gluconate, offering a useful alternative for preventing zinc deficiency and treating diarrhea.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalProtective role of zinc picolinate on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
Zinc picolinate may be a potential preventive agent in cisplatin-induced renal injury by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.
RCT
Animal StudyLetter to the Editor: Picolinic Acid as a Zinc-Binding Ligand in Human Milk: an Unconvincing Case
Picolinic acid is not a zinc-binding ligand in human milk, as previously reported, but citrate is.
Zinc picolinate in the prevention of leiomyoma in Japanese quail.
Zinc picolinate supplementation reduces the growth of spontaneously occurring leiomyomas in Japanese quail, potentially preventing uterine leiomyoma in humans.
RCTAnimal Study