catalytic cofactor for >300 enzymes including carbonic anhydrase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), and matrix metalloproteinases
structural component of >2000 zinc-finger transcription factors regulating gene expression, DNA synthesis and cell division
modulator of innate and adaptive immunity (neutrophil chemotaxis, NK cell activity, T-lymphocyte maturation, thymulin activation)
antioxidant via Cu/Zn-SOD activity and stabilization of protein thiols against free-radical oxidation
required cofactor for retinol dehydrogenase in vitamin A metabolism and for delta-6-desaturase in fatty acid metabolism
essential for spermatogenesis, testosterone biosynthesis and reproductive function
regulator of insulin storage, secretion and signaling in pancreatic beta cells (carbohydrate metabolism)
structural role in keratin/collagen synthesis supporting skin, hair, nail and bone matrix
Molecular + tissue targets
immune cells (T-lymphocytes, NK cells, neutrophils, macrophages)
zinc-finger transcription factors
Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase
carbonic anhydrase
matrix metalloproteinases
retinol dehydrogenase
Leydig cells (testosterone biosynthesis)
spermatogenic epithelium
pancreatic beta-cell insulin granules
keratinocytes and osteoblasts
Dosage range
Adult RDA: 11 mg/day (men), 8 mg/day (women, non-pregnant); pregnancy 11 mg/day; lactation 12 mg/day. Common supplemental range: 8-25 mg/day elemental zinc. Therapeutic short-term ranges studied for cold symptom shortening: 75-100 mg/day elemental zinc as lozenges (acetate or gluconate) for up to 7 days. NOAEL/Upper Limit (IOM): 40 mg/day total elemental zinc for adults; EFSA UL: 25 mg/day. ANVISA IN 28/2018 maximum permitted dose in supplements: 35 mg/day for adults. Sustained intakes above the UL risk copper deficiency, sideroblastic anemia and neutropenia.
Safety notes
Doses above 40 mg/day elemental zinc (IOM UL) chronically can induce secondary copper deficiency, sideroblastic anemia, neutropenia and impaired iron status; case reports of myelopathy with chronic megadose use (often from denture-cream exposure). Acute oral doses >50 mg may cause nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and dysgeusia. Zinc lozenges frequently cause bad taste and nausea (RR ~1.6 versus placebo per PMID 22566526). Intranasal zinc gluconate is contraindicated due to FDA-recognized risk of anosmia (FDA advisory 2009, Zicam). Zinc reduces absorption of tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, penicillamine and integrase-strand-transfer inhibitors; separate dosing by >=2 hours. High-dose zinc decreases HDL cholesterol. Pregnancy: do not exceed RDA without medical supervision. Pediatric dosing must follow weight-based pediatric guidance. ANVISA verbatim claims could not be retrieved from the BVSMS PDF in this drafting pass (PDF returned binary/compressed stream and antigo.anvisa.gov.br + consultas.anvisa.gov.br returned HTTP 403); per HARD CONSTRAINT (A), authorized_claims for ANVISA is left empty pending direct verbatim retrieval from a parseable official source.
Cross-market regulatory status
🇺🇸 FDA
No FDA-authorized SSA (Significant Scientific Agreement) health claim exists for zinc under 21 CFR Part 101 Subpart E. Zinc is regulated as an essential nutrient with Daily Value 11 mg (21 CFR 101.9) and as a dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA (21 USC 343(r)(6)). Structure/function claims (e.g., "supports immune health", "supports normal taste and smell", "supports skin health") are permitted under DSHEA provided the manufacturer (a) has substantiation, (b) notifies FDA within 30 days of first marketing the claim, and (c) includes the disclaimer "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." Intranasal zinc gluconate products were the subject of an FDA warning (June 2009) due to anosmia reports.
🇪🇺 EFSA
Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 (Annex, consolidated under Article 13(1) of Regulation 1924/2006) authorizes 18 health claims for zinc, each conditional on the food being at least a "source of zinc" per Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (>=15% of the NRV per 100 g/100 ml/portion). Maximum supplemental level not harmonized at EU level; EFSA NDA Panel UL = 25 mg/day for adults (re-evaluated 2024). See authorized_claims for the verbatim list.
🇧🇷 ANVISA
Brazil regulates zinc as a supplement constituent under Instrução Normativa DC/ANVISA No. 28/2018 (suplementos alimentares). Anexo III sets minimum daily limits and Anexo IV maximum daily limits (35 mg/day for adults). Anexo V lists authorized functional claims (alegações funcionais) for zinco; each verbatim claim begins with the official pattern "O zinco auxilia ..." and is restricted to products providing at least double the Anexo III minimum without exceeding the Anexo IV maximum. NOTE: per HARD CONSTRAINT (A), verbatim Anexo V sentences could not be successfully retrieved in this drafting pass - the BVSMS PDF returned an unreadable compressed binary stream, antigo.anvisa.gov.br and consultas.anvisa.gov.br returned HTTP 403, and the in.gov.br Imprensa Nacional copy did not include Anexo V in the served excerpt. Authorized_claims for ANVISA is therefore returned EMPTY, pending direct verbatim retrieval from a parseable official source.
Authorized claims · verbatim (18)
Direct quotes from each jurisdiction's framework · never paraphrased · with framework reference and conditions of use.
🇪🇺 EFSA · 18 claims
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Reg 432/2012
Zinc has a role in the process of cell division
Conditions: The claim may be used only for food which is at least a source of zinc as referred to in the claim SOURCE OF [NAME OF VITAMIN/S] AND/OR [NAME OF MINERAL/S] as listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Common use cases
immune support and common-cold duration reduction
skin, hair and nail maintenance
wound healing
male fertility and testosterone maintenance
cognitive function support
antioxidant defense
linear growth in children with zinc-deficient diets
