Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Zinc has been studied for its role in supporting the immune system and potentially acting as an adjunct to antibiotics, but not as a direct alternative to antibiotics. The mineral is essential for normal immune function, and deficiency in zinc can impair the body's ability to fight infections. Several clinical trials have shown that zinc supplementation can reduce the duration and severity of certain infections, particularly in children with diarrhea or pneumonia, where it is recommended by the World Health Organization as part of standard treatment. However, zinc itself does not possess strong direct antibacterial properties comparable to antibiotics; rather, it may enhance the body's immune response and help prevent secondary infections. Some laboratory studies suggest that zinc ions can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria in vitro, but these concentrations are not typically achievable through dietary supplementation in humans. Overall, while zinc supplementation can support recovery from infection and potentially enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics in specific contexts, it should not be regarded as a standalone alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. The evidence supporting its use as an adjunct therapy is moderate (hence the evidence rating of 3), with strongest support in pediatric populations and certain regions where zinc deficiency is common.
Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)
2'-Fucosyllactoseajoene
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
berberine
black cumin
black walnut
caprylic acid
caterpillar mushroom
clove
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lentinula edodes mycelia
LH01-myoviridae
mastic gum
monolaurin
oregano
oregon grape
oyster mushroom
phenolic acids
plantain
butyric acid
rhizome
sage
shiitake mushroom
thyme
vitamin C
wasabia japonica
zinc
yellow root
papaya
neem tree
clerodendrum indicum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
pau d'arco
myrrh
morinda
oriental arborvitae
melaleuca alternifolia
algae
geranium
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Alpha-terpineol
Azelaic acid
Allicin
Anamu
Alchornea
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Algal protein
Alliin
Alantolactone
Bee Propolis
Bacillus indicus
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Betulinic acid
Butea monosperma
Brazillian peppertree
Bee hive
Basidiomycota
Bacillus licheniformis
Brevibacillus laterosporus
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Coconut
Capric Acid
Calotropis gigantea
coconut oil
Carvacrol
Chinese Raisintree
Cinnamic Acid
Citral
Centipeda
Chalcone
Clostridium butyricum
Cinnamaldehyde
Copaiba Oil
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Embelia
Garlic
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)
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
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
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
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
