ZINC GLUCONATE, THE MOST BIOAVAILABLE AMONG FOUR ZINC COMPOUNDS
Saturday, 25 June 2011 11:37
Based on an animal experiment study, published in Acta Nutrimenta Sinica, 1998-02, Yang and his co-investigators from The Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene in Beijing, China, reported on the zinc absorption speed and bioavailability of four zinc compounds namely, zinc glycinate, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate and zinc sulfate. The experimental animals were sacrificed to analyze the serum and tissue zinc contents.
Zinc Absorption Speed
| ZINC COMPOUND | ABSORPTION SPEED | ZINC CONCENTRATION |
| Zinc Glycinate | After 15 minutes | 100umol/L |
| Zinc Gluconate | After 30 minutes | 79.5umol/L |
| Zinc Lactate | After 30 minutes | 66umol/L |
| Zinc Sulfate | After 60 minutes | 78.9umol/L |
As noted, Zinc Sulfate had the slowest absorption rate of 60 minutes to achieve comparable zinc concentration. The fastest was Zinc Glycinate followed by Zinc Gluconate. This is important as a slow absorption rate will allow the presence of phytate in the diet to form insoluble zinc complexes and reduce its bioavailability.
Zinc Bioavailability
| Zinc Compound | Zinc Bioavailability |
| Zinc Gluconate | 132% |
| Zinc Glycinate | 124% |
| Zinc Lactate | 100% |
| Zinc Sulfate | 73% |
As shown in the above data, Zinc Gluconate is the most bioavailable zinc compound and zinc sulfate, the lowest which may be due to its slow absorption speed.
Pediapharma’s Zinc Gluconate Formulations
- Z-Vita syrup (1992): with Vitamin B complex and Lysine for height and weight gain;
- Zimuvite drops (1995): with antioxidant, Vitamins A,C,E for baby’s immunity. Zimuvite is being reformulated to contain Vitamin D3.
- Cholyte Plus (2005): reduced osmolarity ORS with zinc.
- Zinbee syrup/chewable tablet (2005): single ingredient Zinc Gluconate
- Neurosmart Sprinkles (2005): with DHA/EPA, Taurine, magnesium for brain enhancement
- Omnimune capsule (2008): with DHA/EPA, Vitamins A,C,E and selenium for teenagers, adults and elderly as antioxidant, anti-stress and anti-aging nutraceutical capsule
PEDIAPHARMA’S ZINC GLUCONATE, THE PREFERRED SOURCE OF ZINC IONS! EFFICACY PROVEN BY SEVERAL LOCAL CLINICAL STUDIES.
Zinc Supplementation: an Effective Strategy to Achieve
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Based on a meta-analysis of numerous studies, Professor Kenneth H. Brown and his co-workers from the International Zinc Investigations Collaborative Group (IZiNCG) recommend preventive zinc supplementation to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 on reduction of child morbidity and mortality and MDG 1 on reduction of child underweight. Preventive zinc supplementation produces the following benefits:
- 27% reduced incidence of diarrhea in children > 12months
- 15-21% reduced incidence of acute lower respiratory infections
- 18% reduced mortality in children > 12 months
- Significant increases in height and weight
-Brown KH, Peerson JM, Baker SK, Hess S: IZiNCG Satellite Session on Implementing
Zinc Intervention Strategies Micronutrient Forum;
Beijing, China; May 14, 2009
Preventive Zinc Supplementation Program
A preventive zinc supplementation program was recently conducted in several barangays in Aurora Province. Based on the nutrition data of one barangay involving 246 children, age 6-73 months who were supplemented with zinc gluconate for 6 months, the proportion of underweight children (-2SD WHO Z-Score) was significantly reduced by 19.5%. Zinc supplementation helped reduce child underweight (MDG1) in this barangay in Aurora Province.
-Ludan AC, Kuong MBC, Yuson-Sunga J, Teh L:
Zinc Supplementation among children in a barangay in Aurora Province – a pilot study
(Full report available online @: www.pediapharmainc.com)
Zinc, truly the millennium micronutrient to achieve MDG4 and MDG1!