Depletes Zinc. This medication is commonly used for Hypertension
Research suggests a link between ACE inhibitor use and insufficient zinc levels. Studies have found that patients taking ACE inhibitors exhibit higher levels of zinc in their urine and lower levels in their blood serum. This indicates that the medication may increase zinc excretion from the body, potentially leading to a deficiency. Individuals taking ACE inhibitors should be aware of this potential risk and consider zinc supplementation.
Ueda C, Takaoka T, Sarukura N, Matsuda K, Kitamura Y, Toda N, Tanaka T, Yamamoto S, Takeda N. Zinc nutrition in healthy subjects and patients with taste impairment from the view point of zinc ingestion, serum zinc concentration and angiotensin converting enzyme activity. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2006 Sep;33(3):283-8. Suliburska J, Skrypnik K, Szulińska M, Kupsz J, Markuszewski L, Bogdański P. Diuretics, Ca-Antagonists, and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Affect Zinc Status in Hypertensive Patients on Monotherapy: A Randomized Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 11;10(9):1284. Trasobares E, Corbatón A, González-Estecha M, Lopez-Colón JL, Prats P, Olivan P, Sánchez JA, Arroyo M. Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE i) on zinc metabolism in patients with heart failure. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2007;21 Suppl 1:53-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2007.09.018. Epub 2007 Nov 19. PMID: 18039498. Takeda N, Takaoka T, Ueda C, Toda N, Kalubi B, Yamamoto S. Zinc deficiency in patients with idiopathic taste impairment with regard to angiotensin converting enzyme activity. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2004 Dec;31(4):425-8.
Zinc (as zinc bisglycinate and (TRAACS™) — 12.5mg
Low zinc status has been linked to a higher risk and faster progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in part because zinc is concentrated in the retina and supports antioxidant defenses there. In the landmark AREDS trial, a supplement formula containing zinc (80 mg as zinc oxide), along with antioxidants, reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by about 25% in people with intermediate disease or advanced disease in one eye over roughly 5 years. Other research has shown that inadequate zinc intake is more common in older adults with AMD, reinforcing the idea that maintaining healthy zinc levels may be an important, and often overlooked, strategy for preserving macular health with age.
Zinc deficiency has been associated with a range of neurological and behavioral changes, including increased irritability, poor attention, and slowed cognitive processing. In children, low zinc status has been linked to poorer performance on tests of attention, memory, and school achievement, and some trials have found that zinc supplementation can modestly improve certain cognitive scores, especially in previously deficient populations. Clinically, even mild zinc deficiency may present with subtle symptoms such as mood changes, reduced stress tolerance, and “brain fog,” which can easily be overlooked but may improve when zinc status is corrected.
Closely linked to reproductive and hormonal problems in both men and women, zinc deficiency can contribute to hypogonadism, low testosterone, reduced sperm count, and menstrual irregularities. In men, low zinc status has been associated with decreased serum testosterone, reduced sperm density and motility, and poorer overall semen quality, while zinc repletion in deficient individuals has been shown to improve some of these parameters. In women, inadequate zinc intake is tied to more frequent cycle disturbances, dysmenorrhea, and potential impacts on ovulation and fertility, underscoring zinc’s important role in healthy hormonal balance and reproductive function.
Zinc deficiency impairs immune defenses by reducing T‑cell activity and weakening resistance to infection. Low zinc levels increase susceptibility to recurrent infections, especially respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Clinical studies show that zinc supplementation can strengthen immune response and lower mortality when used alongside standard treatment for severe pneumonia. In a placebo‑controlled trial in elderly participants, zinc supplementation decreased the incidence of infections by 66% and improved cell‑mediated immunity.
Zinc deficiency during childhood and adolescence is strongly linked to impaired linear growth and delayed sexual maturation, and is a recognized contributor to stunting in many low‑ and middle‑income countries. In some population studies, zinc deficiency has been present in over 30–40% of children, and zinc supplementation programs have been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in height gain over time. Clinically, even marginal zinc deficiency can quietly slow growth velocity and pubertal progression, making adequate zinc intake an important, often overlooked pillar of healthy growth and development.
Zinc deficiency often first shows up on the skin, with acrodermatitis‑like eruptions around the mouth, perineum, and distal extremities, accompanied by alopecia and sometimes nail changes. Characteristic lesions can be erythematous, scaly, or pustular, and both congenital and acquired zinc deficiency states have been reported to improve dramatically within days to weeks of adequate zinc repletion. Clinically, zinc is also crucial for normal collagen synthesis and immune function in the skin, so deficiency is linked to delayed wound healing and weaker scars, whereas restoring zinc status can enhance re‑epithelialization and reduce wound complications.
In many patients, inadequate zinc status affects the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to chronic or recurrent diarrhea, anorexia, and characteristic changes in taste (hypogeusia) and smell (hyposmia) that further suppress intake. Clinical studies in children with acute and persistent diarrhea have shown that zinc supplementation shortens illness duration and reduces subsequent diarrheal episodes, underscoring how low zinc status both results from and perpetuates gut losses. The practical implication is that, when patients present with otherwise unexplained diarrhea, poor appetite, and altered taste or smell, especially in the setting of malabsorption, restrictive diets, or chronic illness, evaluating and correcting zinc deficiency can be an important step in breaking this cycle and restoring nutritional and gastrointestinal health.
Zinc Bisglycinate by Pure Encapsulations — 15 mg