Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Digestion (poor)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in many physiological processes, including immune function, cell division, and enzymatic reactions. Its relevance to digestion is scientifically supported, particularly in the context of maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract and supporting the function of digestive enzymes. Zinc is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes, several of which are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins during digestion. Deficiency in zinc has been associated with symptoms such as poor appetite, diarrhea, and impaired nutrient absorption, all of which can contribute to poor digestion.
Clinical studies have shown that zinc supplementation can help restore gut barrier function, particularly in individuals with gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease. It is also used therapeutically to reduce the duration and severity of acute diarrhea in children, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
However, evidence directly supporting the use of zinc as a general supplement for improving digestion in otherwise healthy adults is limited. Most studies focus on populations with a diagnosed zinc deficiency or specific gastrointestinal illnesses. While zinc is necessary for proper digestion, supplementation beyond the recommended dietary allowance does not appear to further enhance digestive health in the absence of a deficiency.
In summary, there is moderate scientific evidence that zinc supports digestive health, particularly in cases of deficiency or specific GI conditions, but routine use for "poor digestion" in the general population lacks robust support.
Other ingredients used for Digestion (poor)
acid proteasealfalfa
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
amylase
green chiretta
apple
apricot
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
beta-pinene
betel
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black cumin
black garlic
black pepper
radish
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
carrot
cassia bark
cat's claw
catechins
catjang cowpea
celery
chamomile
chen pi
chia seed
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut milk
collard
colostrum
cordyceps
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
dog rose
melon
eleuthero
ethanol
exo-peptidase
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
forsythia
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
garlic bulb
gelatin
gentian root
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green banana
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
HCL
cellulase
hemp oil
hibiscus
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
invertase
quassia
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
jujube
kale
kudzu
l-glutamine
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lactobacillus lactis
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
lipase
liquid liver fractions
lovage
magnesium
mango
mangosteen
mastic gum
methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
milk
moringa
mustard seed
nettle
spruce
oat
olive
orange
oregano
oregon grape
pancreatin
papain
parsley
pear
pectin
pectinase
peppermint oil
pepsin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
butyric acid
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
redcurrant
rhubarb root
rosemary
rye
sage
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
tributyrin
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
mulberry
xylanase
xylooligosaccharides
yeast
zinc
bentonite
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
squawvine
chickweed
cascara sagrada
oryza
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
papaya
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
commiphora
paederia foetida
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
blessed thistle
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
goldenrod
yarrow
bile salt
prickly ash
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
flowering quince
dogwood
dioscorea
dodder
fern
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
dulse leaf
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
senna
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
yerba mate
wheat germ
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
noni
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
white oak
horehound
amaranth
millet seed
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
algae
indigo leaves
cocoa
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
sea salt
4-Phytase
Alcohol
Aralia
Avens
Arugula
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Agrimony
Allicin
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Anamu
Amomum
Albizia
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Avocado
Anserina
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Aspergillopepsin
Adzuki bean
Arame
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Adenophora
Alliin
Ananain
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Betony
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Butter
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Beta-glucosidase
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bitter Grass
Bovine Protein
Bael
Butternut
Basidiomycota
berry
Bogbean
Black Gram
Bacillus licheniformis
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Bile
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Bacillus
bacoside
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Bird's nest
Cumin
Centaury
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Cowpea
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
California chia
Common Monkey Flower
Cinnamomum
Cascaroside
Croton seeds
Calotropis gigantea
Carqueja
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cloudberry
Cucurbita
coconut oil
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Coriander
Cnidium
Chive
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cape Aloe
Centaurium erythraea
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Citron
Citrus
Capsaicin
Cajuput
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Cruciferous
Carvone
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Capers
Cinnamic Acid
Chard
Cissus sicyoides
Citral
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Colombo
Chicken
Centipeda
Cistus
Copalchi
Corktree
Cubeb
Curcuma
Carob
Cabbage
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Carlina
Calamus
Cherimoya
Clostridium butyricum
Chestnut
Cinnamaldehyde
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Costus
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dihydrocapsaicin
DIVI-DIVI
Deer Root
Dextrin
Duodenal Substance
Durian
Dragonhead
Dolichos
Date
David's Milkberry
Dulse
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
eggplant
European Field Elm
Embelia
Emodin
Elastase
Fig
Goldthread
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Iris
Lotus
Little ironweed
Molasses
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Pistachio
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Spikenard
Squash
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Wormseed
walnut
Zucchini
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
