Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the body system: Taste
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5
Zinc is scientifically validated as an essential mineral for the proper functioning of the taste (gustatory) system. Numerous studies have demonstrated that zinc deficiency can result in hypogeusia (reduced ability to taste) or dysgeusia (distorted sense of taste). Zinc is a cofactor for the enzyme carbonic anhydrase VI (also known as gustin), which is present in saliva and plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of taste buds. Clinical trials have shown that zinc supplementation can improve taste disorders, particularly in individuals with demonstrated zinc deficiency. For example, a 2013 systematic review published in the journal Biological Trace Element Research concluded that zinc supplementation is effective in the management of taste disorders. Furthermore, the World Health Organization recognizes zinc as essential for normal taste function.
Zinc is sometimes specifically prescribed for people experiencing taste loss due to various causes, such as aging, certain medications, or following chemotherapy, as these conditions can be associated with zinc depletion. In summary, the use of zinc to support the taste system is strongly supported by biological mechanisms and clinical evidence, making it an evidence-based intervention for taste dysfunctions linked to zinc deficiency.
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