Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Memory and Brain Function
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in numerous biological processes, including neurotransmission, enzyme function, and antioxidant defense. There is some scientific interest in zinc's role in memory and brain function, primarily because zinc is highly concentrated in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory. Animal and cell studies have shown that zinc modulates synaptic plasticity, which underlies memory formation and cognitive function. Some human studies indicate that zinc deficiency can impair cognitive performance, especially in children and the elderly.
However, while zinc supplementation clearly benefits individuals with zinc deficiency, the evidence supporting its efficacy in improving memory or cognitive function in otherwise healthy individuals is limited and mixed. Several small clinical trials have explored zinc's impact on cognition, but results have been inconsistent. A few studies suggest that zinc supplementation may improve cognitive scores in malnourished or zinc-deficient populations, but in well-nourished adults, benefits are not consistently observed. Additionally, excessive zinc intake can be neurotoxic and interfere with the absorption of other important minerals, such as copper.
In summary, there is a biological rationale and some preliminary scientific evidence linking zinc to memory and brain health, particularly in the context of deficiency. However, robust clinical evidence for zinc supplementation improving memory or brain function in the general population is lacking. Thus, zinc's use for memory and brain function is somewhat scientifically justified, but the strength of evidence is modest.
Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione2'-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acacetin
Acai berry
Acer truncatum
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Acetylcholine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Algae
algal oil
Almond fruit
Alpha glyceryl
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
amentoflavone
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
andrographolide
aniracetam
anserine
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
apigenin
arachidonic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
ashitaba
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
avocado
baccosides
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
Basidiomycota
Beef liver
beet
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bilobalide
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black currant
black garlic
black ginger
black seed
black tea
blackberry
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
blueberry
Boswellia
brahmi
breadnut
broccoli
butylphthalide
Camellia sinensis
Canscora
caprylic acid
carnosic acid
Carnosine
catalpol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
catuaba
Celastrus
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
centrophenoxine
chaga mushroom
chebulic acid
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
chrysanthemum
cinnamic acid
cinnamon
cistanche
citicoline
cocoa
cod liver oil
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cola nut
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocetin
cruciferous
curcumin
currant
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cytidine
d-alpha tocopherol
danshen
date
decursin
decursinol
Dendrobium
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
eleuthero
elk antler
emblicanin
enokitake
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
Eucommia ulmoides
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish
fish protein
Flammulina velutipes
flavanols
flavanones
flavans
flavoglycosides
flavones
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
frankincense
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fucosterol
galangin
galantamine
gallic acid
garcinol
gastrodin
ginkgetin
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo flavone glycoside
ginkgoheteroside
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
glucose
Glutamate
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
Glycine
Glycosphingolipids
goji berry
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Gypenoside
hazelnut
Hericenones
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
Homotaurine
Honokiol
huperzine A
hydroxytyrosol
icariin
Idebenone
Indian frankincense
inositol
isoliquiritigenin
isovitexin
Jatamansi
jiaogulan
jujube
Kaempferol
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-serine
L-taurine
L-theanine
l-tyrosine
Lactobacillus reuteri
lecithin
lemon balm
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
longan
lotus seed
lutein
luteolin
Lycium
lysophosphatidylcholine
maca
magnolol
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Matcha
Mate
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Methoxylated flavones
Methylcobalamin
Methylxanthine
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Morus
Muira puama
Mulberry
Myricetin
NADH
Nardostachys
Naringenin
Naringin
Nervonic acid
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
oolong tea
ophiopogon root
Osthole
paeoniflorin
paraxanthine
perilla
Periwinkle
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phospholipids
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Piperine
Plankton
Pleurotus eryngii
pollen
Polydatin
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonum
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
Puerain
Puerarin
pumpkin
punicalagins
purslane
Pycnogenol
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quail egg
quercetin
Rehmannia
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
robusta coffee
root tuber
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rutin
saffron
Safranal
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sarcosine
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
seaweed
selenium
sesame
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Sialic acid
Soy
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
Stilbenoid
strawberry
Sulbutiamine
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
suma
Tanshinone
Taurine
Taxillus chinensis
Terminalia
terpene lactones
Threonic acid
Tiger Nut
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Tremella
Triacetyluridine
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Tumerone
turmeric
Turmerones
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Uridine
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
Vincamine
Vinpocetine
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitexin
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba mate
Yohimbine
Yumberry
Yuzu
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by Zinc
AbrasionsAcne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Premature Ejaculation
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Candida Clear
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Men's Formula (With Lycopene)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Target TS-II Formula
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Support
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave
Nature's Sunshine Yeast/Fungal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
