Zinc Carnosine
Also known as: ZnC, polaprezinc (chelate)
Randomised controlled trials in humans report that oral zinc carnosine can reduce exercise- and NSAID-induced increases in gut permeability and support mucosal repair processes; a 12‑week trial in older adults with low zinc status reported small increases in plasma zinc and reductions in biomarkers of DNA damage. A trial using polaprezinc enemas in ulcerative colitis used a non-oral route and is not directly applicable to oral supplementation.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 3 indexed studies
Set your location for accurate regulatory status
Saved on this device — no sign-in needed.
Overview
Zinc carnosine is a chelate of zinc and the dipeptide carnosine used as an oral supplement to support gastrointestinal mucosal integrity and zinc status. Human trials show reduced exercise- and NSAID-induced increases in intestinal permeability and improvements in markers of genomic stability in older adults with low zinc status.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Appears to act locally on the gut lumen and epithelium to stabilise tight junction proteins (increase occludin, reduce phosphorylated occludin/claudin), increase heat-shock protein 70, reduce apoptosis signalling, and promote epithelial cell migration and proliferation. Systemic effects likely reflect improved zinc status and antioxidant/repair pathways.
Physiological Role
Supports epithelial barrier integrity and cellular repair processes in the gastrointestinal tract; contributes to systemic zinc-dependent antioxidant and DNA-repair functions.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
May reduce exercise-induced increases in intestinal permeability that can cause gut symptoms and systemic endotoxin exposure, which could be relevant for athletes undertaking heavy exertion or personnel exposed to heat stress. Also may protect against NSAID-induced small-bowel permeability changes.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Compare Zinc Forms
Full comparison2 zinc forms are indexed. Bioavailability, clinical evidence, and best-use cases differ meaningfully between them.
| Form | Evidence |
|---|---|
Zinc CarnosineThis page Effects in trials appear at least partly local to the gut lumen and epithelium; systemic increases in plasma zinc may occur with prolonged use in zinc‑insufficient individuals. | 60/100 |
| Zinc Different salt forms have variable elemental zinc content; formulations (e.g. gluconate, sulfate, picolinate) affect elemental dose. | 74/100 |
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Approximately 37.5 mg twice daily (75 mg/day) has been used in RCTs.
- Optimal Range
- Not firmly established from available abstracts; 37.5 mg twice daily is a commonly used regimen in trials.
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established for zinc carnosine specifically; consider elemental zinc upper limit guidance (40 mg/day for adults in the US) when assessing cumulative zinc intake.
- Timing
- Often dosed twice daily in trials; timing relative to meals not specified in abstracts.
- Best Format
- Oral tablet/capsule formulated for ingestion.
- Bioavailability
- Effects in trials appear at least partly local to the gut lumen and epithelium; systemic increases in plasma zinc may occur with prolonged use in zinc‑insufficient individuals.
- Absorption Considerations
- May act locally in the gut; elemental zinc content per dose varies by product, so consider total zinc intake from all sources.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Gastrointestinal upset (reported with zinc supplements in general)
- •Risk of excessive zinc intake if combined with other zinc sources
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to components
Drug Interactions
- •May reduce absorption of tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics if coadministered (general zinc interaction)
- •High zinc intake can interfere with copper absorption
Who Should Avoid
- •People already exceeding recommended zinc intake without clinical indication
- •Those on interacting antibiotics without spacing doses
Monitoring
Monitor total elemental zinc intake and consider checking plasma zinc and copper if long-term supplementation or high doses are used; watch for signs of zinc excess (nausea, vomiting, changes in immune function).
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Zinc Carnosine typically used or indicated?
Zinc Carnosine is most commonly used for: Support intestinal barrier function, Support recovery from gut injury, Support zinc status in older adults, Exercise-related gut protection. Supports epithelial barrier integrity and cellular repair processes in the gastrointestinal tract; contributes to systemic zinc-dependent antioxidant and DNA-repair functions.
How does Zinc Carnosine work?
Appears to act locally on the gut lumen and epithelium to stabilise tight junction proteins (increase occludin, reduce phosphorylated occludin/claudin), increase heat-shock protein 70, reduce apoptosis signalling, and promote epithelial cell migration and proliferation. Systemic effects likely reflect improved zinc status and antioxidant/repair pathways.
What is the recommended dose of Zinc Carnosine?
The optimal range is Not firmly established from available abstracts; 37.5 mg twice daily is a commonly used regimen in trials.. with a minimum effective dose of Approximately 37.5 mg twice daily (75 mg/day) has been used in RCTs.. Best taken: Often dosed twice daily in trials; timing relative to meals not specified in abstracts.. Upper / caution level: Not established for zinc carnosine specifically; consider elemental zinc upper limit guidance (40 mg/day for adults in the US) when assessing cumulative zinc intake..
What are the side effects of Zinc Carnosine?
Reported side effects include: Gastrointestinal upset (reported with zinc supplements in general); and Risk of excessive zinc intake if combined with other zinc sources. Monitoring: Monitor total elemental zinc intake and consider checking plasma zinc and copper if long-term supplementation or high doses are used; watch for signs of zinc excess (nausea, vomiting, changes in immune function).
Does Zinc Carnosine interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: May reduce absorption of tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics if coadministered (general zinc interaction); and High zinc intake can interfere with copper absorption. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Zinc Carnosine?
Zinc Carnosine is generally not recommended for: People already exceeding recommended zinc intake without clinical indication; Those on interacting antibiotics without spacing doses; and Known hypersensitivity to components.
How strong is the evidence for Zinc Carnosine?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 60/100), based on 3 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (3)
Zinc carnosine works with bovine colostrum in truncating heavy exercise-induced increase in gut permeability in healthy volunteers.
Double‑blind, placebo‑controlled crossover trial in 8 healthy volunteers comparing placebo, zinc carnosine, bovine colostrum, and the combination; assessed exercise‑induced increases in gut permeability and cellular markers relevant to tight junctions and apoptosis.
Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes.
Randomised crossover trial in 10 healthy volunteers assessing whether oral zinc carnosine (37.5 mg twice daily) prevents indomethacin‑induced increases in gut permeability; also included in vitro and animal models showing stimulated epithelial migration and reduced injury.
Zinc supplementation influences genomic stability biomarkers, antioxidant activity, and zinc transporter genes in an elderly Australian population with low zinc status.
12‑week placebo‑controlled intervention in elderly volunteers with low plasma zinc; assessed plasma zinc, biomarkers of genomic stability, antioxidant activity, and zinc transporter gene expression following zinc carnosine supplementation.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in General Health Ingredients.
Piperine
82/100A piperidine alkaloid (C₁₇H₁₉NO₃) that inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2E1), P-glycoprotein efflux transporters, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases while enhancing intestinal permeability, digestive enzyme secretion, and splanchnic blood flow — collectively producing dramatic improvements in nutrient bioavailability.
CoQ10
78/100Endogenous lipid-soluble ubiquinone/ubiquinol that shuttles electrons in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and acts as a membrane antioxidant.
Beta-Glucan (Oat)
77/100Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses report that ≥3 g/day oat beta-glucan lowers LDL and total cholesterol modestly. Acute feeding trials pooled in meta-analysis show dose- and molecular-weight–dependent reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin responses.
Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/zinc-carnosine
SuppIndex. (2026). Zinc Carnosine: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/zinc-carnosine
Based on 3 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Showed additive benefit with bovine colostrum for exercise‑induced gut permeability in a controlled trial.