Mineral
Zinc Gluconate
Also known as: zinc gluconate salt, gluconic acid zinc salt
Zinc gluconate is an organic salt form of zinc commonly used in supplements for immune support and general nutritional repletion. As a mineral cofactor essential for immune function, wound healing, and protein synthesis, zinc gluconate delivers bioavailable zinc with generally good tolerability.
Primary uses
- Immune system support
- Wound healing and tissue repair
- Nutritional deficiency correction
- Antioxidant enzyme production
How it works
- Cofactor for 300+ metalloenzymes including superoxide dismutase and RNA polymerase
- Essential for T-cell development and immune response
- Required for collagen synthesis and epithelial integrity
Dosage
- Typical range
- 8-25 mg elemental zinc daily
- Timing
- Can be taken anytime; with or without food
- With food
- Food may slightly reduce absorption but also reduces GI upset; consider individual tolerance
- Duration
- Safe for long-term use at recommended doses; RDI is 8-11 mg daily for adults
- Special populations
- Pregnant/lactating women: 11-13 mg daily; older adults should not exceed 40 mg daily to avoid copper antagonism
Forms
- powder· 70/100
- capsule· 70/100
- tablet· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- Nausea (especially on empty stomach)
- Metallic taste
- Mild GI upset
- Headache (rare)
Contraindications
- Do not exceed 40 mg/day long-term (risk of copper deficiency and neurological effects)
- Use caution in patients with copper deficiency
- Avoid within 2 hours of certain medications (quinolones, tetracyclines)
Known interactions
- Warningwith zinc
Zinc depletes copper over time
- Cautionwith zinc
Zinc and iron compete for absorption
- Cautionwith calcium
Calcium may reduce zinc absorption
- Infowith magnesium
High-dose magnesium may slightly reduce zinc absorption
- Synergywith zinc
Quercetin acts as zinc ionophore
- Synergywith zinc
Zinc needed for vitamin A metabolism
Evidence notes
Zinc is an essential mineral with extensive RCT evidence for immune function, wound healing, and deficiency correction. Gluconate is a well-characterized, bioavailable form with established safety profile.
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Related in Mineral
Check a full stack
Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.
Open the checkerMedical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider.