The potential benefits of supplementation with zinc are largely dependent on the individual’s zinc status. Therefore, supplementation with zinc is unlikely to provide a benefit if zinc levels are already adequate and the person is not zinc deficient.[1] One exception to this rule may be respiratory tract infections and the common cold, conditions in which supplementation with zinc has been shown to reduce the duration of illness.[2][3][4] In children, zinc may help prevent pneumonia.[5][6] However, further high-quality studies are needed to bolster the evidence in this field.
Supplementation with zinc has been shown to improve depressive symptoms[7][8] and markers of glycemic control and blood lipids, particularly in people with chronic disease.[9][10][11] Supplementation with zinc may also improve severe acne, but higher-quality trials are needed to bolster the current evidence.[12][13]