Zinc in Modern Times

by Nicholas Saraceno | July 31, 2020

Zinc is a chemical element that’s been identified since the 18th century—it has made quite an impact over the years, including in the natural products industry for its plethora of benefits.

“Zinc is functionally involved in hundreds of enzymatic functions in the body and considered an essential mineral that is second only to iron in its concentration within the body,” explained Jason Dewberry, chief innovation officer for Tennessee-based Ancient Nutrition. Ancient Nutrient’s Zinc is a potent and enzyme-activated form, ready for your body to use. “We paired enzyme activated, body-ready zinc with a tough probiotic strain that can withstand harsh conditions to form immune-supporting, science-backed capsules. This combination delivers benefits like support for a healthy immune defense, overall immune support, gut and respiratory mucosal immune responses* and more.”*

Dawn Jarvis, MS, RD, LDN, senior director of nutrition science & educational content with Garden of Life in Florida, expounded on Dewberry’s remarks, adding that “Zinc is involved in multiple aspects of cellular health—it is needed for the activity of around 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing DNA synthesis, and healthy cell division. The body requires zinc to develop and activate T-lymphocytes. Alterations in immune function might explain why low zinc status has been associated with increased susceptibility to pneumonia and other infections in children and the elderly.

“Zinc status is also tightly associated with risk factors for severe COVID-19 including aging, immune deficiency, obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis, since these are known risk groups for zinc deficiency,” she added. Therefore, Zn may possess protective effect as preventive and adjuvant therapy of COVID-19 through reducing inflammation, improvement of mucociliary clearance, and prevention of ventilator induced lung injury, modulation of antiviral and antibacterial immunity. However, again, further clinical and experimental studies are required.”

She also noted that a daily intake of zinc is needed to maintain a healthy balanced zinc status, since the body has no zinc storage system.

Garden of Life offers Vitamin Code Raw Zinc, which is formulated with 30 mg of high potency whole food zinc that provides 273 percent of the daily value for zinc, along with vitamin C, providing 67 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.

Sales During COVID-19

Amid the pandemic, zinc sales have reached the point to where it has become difficult for retailers to keep up with the demand.

“Zinc sales have increased dramatically since the pandemic began,” said Ramona Billingslea, marketing manager, Betsy’s Health Foods in Texas. “In fact, because we are having such a rapid turnover in inventory on zinc, we’ve removed these products from our online store to avoid selling zinc to customers that we didn’t actually have in stock.” Many customers who were in search of zinc were not one’s standard supplement buyer prior to COVID-19, but the situation at hand gave them the push to pursue natural solutions.

“Zinc has been on the forefront since COVID-19 hit the media. Through this entire pandemic, we have been open as an ‘essential business,’” said Dianna Singh, owner of both Cameron Park Vitamins and Elk Grove Vitamins in California. “It was quite remarkable to see a flood of customers come in, while in this ‘panic’ mode of purchasing immune products. The majority of customers at the very beginning were not the typical supplement savvy buyer. They truly didn’t understand what zinc was. Sales were unbelievable! Since then, sales have definitely slowed down. That ‘panic’ buying is gone, for now. To date, sales are mildly consistent. For now, Trace Minerals Power Pak have been a perfect fit for all. They are a great price point, great for the entire family, convenient and great tasting. Not to mention, they have 1,200 mg of vitamin C, which was another ‘panic’ purchase. So, paring a multi with the Power Pak was a great combination of both, having added zinc.”

Garden of Life has also recently experienced “an unusually high demand” for zinc as of late.

“ … Our Vitamin Code Zinc is the No. 2 top-selling zinc in the natural products industry, according to SPINS Data (52 weeks ending 5/17/20). During March and April, our sales went up threefold, until we sold out,” Jarvis said. “Now, we are back in stock and Vitamin Code [Raw] Zinc sales are about five-fold what they were prior to the current pandemic.

Research & Future Outlook

Garden of Life is focused on research that further explores the potential repercussions of not consuming enough zinc, among other interests.

“Inadequate zinc intake may predispose [one] to infectious diseases of upper and lower respiratory tract, while it appears that adequate zinc status may possess protective effect as adjuvant therapy of COVID-19 through reducing lung inflammation, improvement of mucociliary clearance, prevention of ventilator-induced lung injury, modulation of antibacterial and antiviral immunity especially in elderly,” Jarvis said. “Further clinical and experimental studies are required to elucidate the potential role of zinc deficiency in COVID-19 susceptibility, as well as effects of zinc supplementation, and the underlying mechanisms.”1

And looking ahead, Jarvis said she wonders how consumers will change their supplement shopping habits in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“Zinc users fall into two groups, the first group is the informed health food shopper who will continue to buy zinc after the pandemic because they understand the importance of zinc for immune support year-round. Group two are those who will take it during the pandemic and forget about taking it after the pandemic. The question is, how many people will move from group two to group one as they become more educated about the importance of zinc, and in light of any new research on zinc supplementation related to immune and respiratory system support related to COVID-19?”

Regardless of the outcome, one idea seems likely: zinc will stay relevant.

“With strong, consistent growth over the last year, even before and after zinc’s COVID-19 boost, continued growth is predicted for the category,” Dewberry concluded. “Zinc isn’t going anywhere!” VR

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.