Best Zinc: A Pharmacist’s Opinion (2025)

Best Absorbable Zinc: Our Opinion

We analyzed 13 products sold online based on 7 criteria, and selected these 2 zinc supplements:

# Best Absorbable Zinc: The Zinc – Nutri&Co

# Best Value for Money: Zinc Bisglycinate – Novoma

Our Selection Criteria

• Form: the form of zinc determines its assimilation potential. Liposomed and bisglycinate forms are recommended.
• Association: zinc is generally combined with other nutrients to enhance its effectiveness and/or assimilation by the body.
• Certificate of Analysis: verification of the absence of heavy metals and suspicious solvents.
• Price / Day: this is the cost per day of treatment at the daily dose recommended by the brand.
• Customer Reviews: these customer reviews are sourced from the brand’s website, review sites, or Amazon.
• Our Opinion on the Brand: based on the tests we conduct on supplement brands each month.

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Best Absorbable Zinc

This supplement is one of the few to combine two forms of zinc: liposome and gluconate. These two access pathways contribute to optimal assimilation by the body.

Zinc is micro-encapsulated in fatty acids that protect it from external interactions. This allows for superior bioavailability compared to bisglycinate, the most common form in pharmacies.

It contains 10 mg of zinc per capsule, which is 100% of the recommended daily intake.

Finally, the presence of selenium enhances zinc’s action on various spheres.

We like the Nutri&Co brand because it’s reliable and transparent (read our full test here to learn more). Additionally, the customer reviews are very positive.

This brand is based in Aix en Provence and places particular importance on the quality of its product’s active ingredients.

→ Free surprise promo code: DARWINGIFT (minimum order €70)

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Best Value for Money

Novoma offers a quality zinc supplement made in France, at an affordable price.

This is a synergistic formula based on highly absorbable TRAACS® patented zinc bisglycinate. It is guaranteed 100% pure.

The association with vitamin B6 is intended to increase the body’s resilience by contributing to the proper functioning of the immune system, as well as promoting the beauty of the skin, nails, and hair.

Novoma is a quality French brand offering supplements concentrated in active ingredients, at controlled prices (read our full test here). We appreciate the quality of customer service and product traceability.

→ Promo code €5 off: DARWIN-5 (no minimum purchase required)

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What are the Benefits of Zinc?

Zinc is a trace element found in seafood, red meats, cheeses, nuts, and wheat germ. 

It has multiple benefits, and supplementation can be recommended in certain situations.

It participates in many vital enzymatic reactions necessary for our body’s proper functioning: protein synthesis, skin repair, hair beauty, support for vision and bones. 

Zinc is also essential for neurological, immune function, and reproduction, nothing less!

A global action on immunity and inflammation

Zinc actively participates in the immune process, allowing good communication between immune cells. Thus, a study published in the journal Auto-immune asserts that a severe deficiency leads to a reduction in overall immunity. 

Moreover, a chronic deficiency increases inflammation and particularly affects the progression of inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Another study concludes that supplementation is an effective and safe measure to reduce the duration and risk of complications from an infection like gastroenteritis.

Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of zinc are widely used in acne-prone individuals.

Supplementation reduces redness and pimple size and helps balance sebum production, as shown in this study.

Support for our neurons and vision

Zinc is naturally found in all tissues, but it is primarily present in our brain. It is essential for the formation of neurons as well as the formation of neuronal interconnections. 

Thus, the Journal of Nutrition reveals that a deficiency leads to overall aging and enhances the onset of neurological disorders.

It also plays a crucial role in maintaining vision since this trace element is present in high concentrations in ocular tissue.

According to a study in the American Journal of Nutrition, zinc deficiency influences the progression of chronic eye diseases.

In what form should you choose it?

In capsules or tablets

These are the most common packaging. Conveniently, capsules and tablets can contain all possible forms of zinc, providing a sufficient concentration for significant efficacy. 

Capsules often include the presence of additives to fill the capsule. Excipients can be natural, such as rice fiber or acacia fiber. This source is preferable as digestive tolerance is better.

In liquid form

Zinc can be offered in liquid form in bottles. The liquid form allows for easy intake for those who have trouble swallowing capsules. 

It can also be found combined with other minerals like copper or iron, which may hinder its proper absorption. Additionally, sugars and flavors may be added: once again, check product ingredients! 

It can also be found in the form of ampoules, particularly in oligotherapy laboratories. The dosages can vary and may contain sugar derivatives.

What criteria should you consider?

1. Origin of zinc

Zinc found in dietary supplements can be of natural origin or chemical origin.

The natural form is the less known of the two. It comes from a brown alga called Kelp cultivated in organic farming. The extraction of zinc does not involve chemicals and is done entirely with water. Some laboratories offer an EU origin.

Recently, another natural form has emerged: zinc produced by fermentation of a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae.

These two natural forms provide organic zinc, a highly absorbable form.

The one produced by chemical synthesis is widely predominant in the food supplement market. In this form, zinc must be associated with another substance because it does not exist pure in nature. 

The synthetic form contains various types of zinc, with qualities and absorption that vary greatly.

2. Different forms of zinc

Apart from the natural form, it comes in a chemical form called “chelated”, where it is bonded to another compound. This association facilitates its protection, transport, and absorption to where it acts.

According to the products, it can be associated with different molecules: 

– with ions: sulfate or oxide. I discourage the oxide form, insoluble in water and less well absorbed by the body. 

– with compounds called organic acids: gluconate, citrate, picolinate of zinc. These forms are well absorbed, unlike the oxide form. 

– with amino acids, notably glycine, which forms the molecule zinc bisglycinate. This latter form is known as zinc-amino-chelated.

Finally, avoid products containing additives in their composition, especially citric or tartaric acid, which could inhibit its antiviral action.

3.  Zinc dosage

The dosage can depend on the indications! Generally, it is recommended to take 10 to 15 mg of zinc per day, outside of meals.

As part of acne treatment, 30 mg per day is recommended for a significant effect.

Make sure that the daily dose provides these concentrations. Indeed, it may be found in low doses, especially in oligotherapy, a medicine that involves administering a trace element to the body in small quantities.

4. Organic certification

Most dietary supplements are synthesized, and are therefore not from organic farming. 

However, as we have just seen, zinc is found naturally in kelp, a brown algae rich in minerals. The algae is grown in non-polluted basins, and extraction requires no solvents or chemicals, thus allowing for organic certification. 

Kelp is also known as seaweed, and its Latin name is fucus vesiculosus. You will find one of these names on the back of organic zinc products. 

5. Association with vitamins

Many dietary supplements offer a combination of zinc and vitamin B6. This allows for better absorption, and they work synergistically in the body, particularly on nerve and immune functions. 

There are also zinc-vitamin C duos in dietary supplements aimed at maintaining good immune function and combating fatigue.

In the case of association with vitamins, zinc may be in a low dose in the product, so make sure its daily concentration is sufficient.

What are the precautions for use and when should you supplement with zinc? 

A zinc supplement is particularly recommended for individuals at risk of deficiencies: vegetarians, those taking anticonvulsant medications, antihypertensive drugs, or oral contraceptives. 

Allow 2 hours between taking zinc and other medication.

Zinc should be taken following medical advice if you are on other treatments to avoid any interaction.

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Best absorbable zinc

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Best price/quality ratio

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