A recent study highlights the effectiveness of zinc picolinate as a supplement in preventing and reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The study found that doses of 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg per day all played a role in mitigating the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with subjects who took zinc showing better outcomes than those who did not.
The study focused on a group of overweight, diabetic Hispanic women from Florida, examining how zinc supplementation impacted their likelihood of developing symptomatic COVID-19. It was discovered that those who did not take zinc were more than seven times more likely to experience symptoms of the virus compared to those who did. The research also revealed that each additional health condition, or comorbidity, increased the chances of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 1.57 times. The most common comorbidities contributing to worse outcomes included obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Despite the lack of formal acknowledgment regarding nutrition’s role in combating COVID-19, the researchers from two Florida universities concluded that zinc supplementation could be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment. In total, 29 studies with over 50,000 participants across 16 countries have explored the role of zinc in COVID-19 treatment, showing statistically significant improvements in hospitalization rates, ventilation needs, and death outcomes.
The results of the Florida-based study revealed an interesting finding: none of the participants who took 10 mg of zinc picolinate developed symptoms of COVID-19. In contrast, participants in the 25 mg and 50 mg groups experienced mild symptoms such as sore throat, low-grade fever, cough, and fatigue. In the control group, however, nine cases of symptomatic COVID-19 were reported, with three requiring hospitalization and one resulting in death.
Understanding Zinc’s Dosage for Immunity
Zinc is believed to help reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms by inhibiting the replication of rhinovirus in the nasal passages and suppressing inflammation. This mechanism has been studied in the context of the common cold, where zinc supplements, typically in the form of lozenges or syrups, are used to reduce the duration of symptoms when taken early in the illness.
In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, adults who began zinc treatment within 24 hours of developing cold symptoms found their colds lasted three days less and were less severe than those who took a placebo. This is consistent with the findings of a 2021 systematic review that included 28 trials with over 5,400 participants, showing that zinc supplements help resolve symptoms of viral respiratory infections more quickly and with less severity.
The Daily Value (DV) for zinc is 11 mg per day, and most multivitamins typically contain around 5-15 mg per serving. However, it’s essential to note that excessive zinc intake can lead to toxicity, with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. The tolerable upper intake level for zinc is 40 mg per day for adults.
While high-dose zinc supplementation has been linked to side effects, such as urological problems in some studies, the current research suggests that a 10 mg dose of zinc per serving could be effective for immune support, especially when combined with other supplements like multivitamins. For regular use, it is likely best to avoid zinc dosages higher than 30 mg per serving to prevent potential toxicity concerns.
This study provides valuable insights into how zinc can be used in immunity-boosting supplements, offering a practical dosage range for formulators looking to create effective products that support immune health, especially in the context of ongoing global health challenges.
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