Zinc sulfate is one form of zinc that can be taken as a supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 23 percent of zinc sulfate contains elemental zinc, which is the true amount of zinc available. In terms of absorption, bioavailability or the ability to tolerate zinc, research has yet to determine if there are differences between the forms of zinc. Do not take zinc sulfate without first talking to your doctor, as too much zinc can cause low copper, lowered immune function or urinary problems.
Wound Healing
Zinc sulfate may help to increase wound healing, according to nutrition professor Carolyn D. Berdanier in the book "Handbook of Nutrition and Food." Studies have shown that a dose of 220 mg of zinc sulfate three times a day for seven to eight weeks helped wounds heal faster in those who were zinc-deficient. If your zinc levels are sufficient, though, there is no evidence zinc sulfate would help with wound healing.
Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers may also be helped by zinc sulfate, according to Luke Bucci in his book "Nutrition Applied to Injury Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine." He notes that many studies have shown zinc to hasten healing and decrease relapse from gastric ulcers in humans, and it has increased antioxidant activity that helped ulcers in animals. This occurred even when zinc deficiency was not present in most subjects. This was true not only for zinc sulfate but also other forms of zinc including zinc acexamate and zinc carnosine.
Male Infertility
Zinc sulfate has shown promise in the treatment of male infertility when combined with folate. In the book "Collins Alternative Health Guide," Dr. Steven Bratman notes research in which zinc sulfate and folate improved the sperm count and the percentage of healthy sperm in men who suffered from infertility. This effect was only found in men who had problems with fertility; it did not increase sperm count in already fertile men.
Acne
Zinc in its sulfate form may also be beneficial for treating acne. Bratman notes that some research found that using 90 to 135 mg of zinc sulfate each day slightly improved acne conditions. This may be due to the impact of zinc on hormone function, as well as collagen production, both of which are important for healthy skin. Yet other research has indicated that zinc was not beneficial for acne.
References
- "Handbook of Nutrition and Food"; Carolyn D. Berdanier, Ph.D.; 2007
- "Nutrition Applied to Injury Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine"; Luke Bucci; 1995
- "Collins Alternative Health Guide"; Steven Bratman, M.D.; 2007
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
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