Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the body system: Smell
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Zinc is scientifically recognized for its role in supporting the sense of smell (the olfactory system). Zinc is an essential trace element involved in numerous biological processes, including cell proliferation, immune function, and enzyme activity. One of the enzymes that depends on zinc, carbonic anhydrase VI, is found in high concentrations in the nasal mucosa and is necessary for normal taste and smell perception. Clinical studies have shown that zinc deficiency can lead to anosmia (loss of smell) or hyposmia (reduced sense of smell). There is evidence from both observational studies and interventional trials that zinc supplementation can improve olfactory function in individuals with zinc deficiency or certain types of olfactory disorders, such as post-viral anosmia. However, not all cases of smell dysfunction are related to zinc status, and supplementation is only effective in those who are deficient or have specific underlying causes for their olfactory loss. The evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), as some studies show benefit, while others do not find a significant effect in unselected populations. Overall, the scientific consensus supports a link between zinc and smell, particularly in cases of deficiency, but zinc supplementation should be targeted rather than generalized.
Other body systems supported by zinc
Adrenal GlandsArteries
Blood
Brain
Brain
Cortisol
Digestive System
Eyes
Glandular System
Gums
Hair
Hair
Heart
Hepatic System
Hypothalamus
Immune System
Immune System
Intestinal System
Liver
Male Reproductive System
Mucus Membranes
Nails
Nerves
Pancreas Head
Parathyroid Glands
Parotids (Salivary Glands)
Peyer’s patches
Pituitary
Prostate
Rectum
Reproductive System
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Skin
Small Intestines
Smell
Stomach
Structural System
Sweat Glands
Taste
Taste
Teeth
Testes
Testes
Testosterone
Thymus
Thyroid Gland
Tonsils
Uterus
Vocal Cords
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
