Zinc is an essential mineral important for many body processes. Most people obtain enough zinc from their diet, but zinc deficiency is a risk for infants, children, elderly people, strict vegetarians and people with certain health disorders, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, or LPI, at Oregon State University. Zinc insufficiency is also a public health issue in developing countries. Several types of zinc supplements are available, including zinc picolinate, which includes the chemical compound picolinic acid. Talk with a qualified health care practitioner before taking zinc supplements.
Absorption
Zinc picolinate may have better absorption than other zinc supplements, according to research appearing in the June 1987 issue of "Agents and Actions." During this study, 15 healthy participants took different supplements for four-week time frames, after which researchers measured the levels of zinc in their hair, urine, red blood cells and serum. Zinc picolinate caused significant increases in zinc levels in hair, urine and red blood cells, while zinc citrate and zinc gluconate did not. Insignificant increases in serum zinc levels were associated with both zinc picolinate and zinc citrate supplements.
Immunity
Zinc is essential for maintaining the immune system, and zinc supplements can help people fight infection if they are currently deficient in this mineral, according to the American Cancer Society, or ACS. Research in developing countries found that providing zinc supplements to malnourished children helped prevent diarrhea and pneumonia and reduced the duration of diarrhea caused by infection. The ACS cautions that zinc supplements do not boost immunity in persons with adequate zinc levels and that ingesting too much zinc can have negative health effects, including weakening the immune system.
Pregnancy Benefits
A review of 17 studies found that supplementing with zinc during pregnancy led to a 14 percent decrease in premature deliveries, according to the LPI. This effect mainly occurred for low-income women. Consult your doctor before taking zinc picolinate during pregnancy.
Benefits for Cancer Patients
Preliminary research shows that zinc supplements may be helpful for patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer of the head or neck, according to the ACS. Supplemental zinc may reduce the side effects of mouth sores and loss of taste. One study found that patients who took zinc had less severe mouth sores, and the sores developed later in the course of treatment, compared with patients taking a placebo.
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc picolinate supplements can resolve zinc deficiency and help in conditions of general malnourishment, sickle cell anemia and alcoholic liver disease, as noted by the LPI. They also may be beneficial for health conditions that cause zinc loss, such as chronic diarrhea or serious burns. People with malabsorption disorders, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, also can benefit from zinc supplements.
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