What conditions or problems is Zinc used for ?

Zinc has often been used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It helps heal burns (including sunburns), wounds, hemorrhoids, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne (zinc has actually been shown to increase the effectiveness of certain topical acne medications, such as erythromycin and clindamycin). Pyrithione zinc is a common ingredient in dandruff shampoos, and it known to control itching and flaking of the scalp.

Zinc is really important to the body’s production of all kinds of hormones, including those that regulate growth, blood sugar, and fertility. Zinc may be useful for treating infertility in both women and men, and relieve symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which an enlarged prostate can interfere with urination. It has also been shown to improve levels of the hormone insulin, and thus may help people with type 1 or 2 diabetes manage their disease more effectively.

Because zinc promotes a strong immune system, it may be effective in battling autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Zinc is important to the health of your bones, nails, and hair. It has been used to help treat osteoporosis, hair loss, and brittle hair and nails. In addition, studies have shown that zinc supplements lessened the effects of both tinnitis (ringing in the ears), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of blindness in individuals over age 50. Zinc has also been used to treat inflammatory eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye).












Return to:

Vitamins & Nutrition    Zinc Overview

Zinc questions & answers    Supplements for health