We Asked RDs What Zinc Supplements They Recommend — Here’s What They Said

Most zinc supplements are available in capsule form, and many dietitians we spoke with recommended the Pure Encapsulations brand as a reputable source of high-quality supplement capsules. “It’s known for high-quality supplements, lack of fillers and unnecessary ingredients, third-party testing, and for following strict Good Manufacturing Practices standards,” says Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, RD.

Each serving provides 30 milligrams of zinc, or 273 percent of the DV. This dosage may be most suited to people who are at risk of a zinc deficiency, such as the elderly, vegans and vegetarians, and those with impaired digestion. Speak to your doctor or dietitian if you have any concerns. Zinc citrate should be taken with a meal for optimal absorption.

This product contains 15 milligrams of zinc, or 136 percent of the DV per capsule, a dose that may be helpful for short-term supplementation during viral infections. Note that it should be taken with a meal. Also, this product is not vegan-friendly, as it contains an added ingredient (leucine) from animal sources, although it is dairy-free. Thorne supplements are third-party certified for safety and quality by NSF, a leading supplement testing organization.

Jones recommends Pure Encapsulations for its rigorous quality standards, including third-party testing, contaminant and heavy metal testing, and supplier audits to confirm the quality of the ingredients used in its supplements. Note that Pure Encapsulations recommends taking this product with food.

If you follow a vegan diet, it’s important to seek out a vegan zinc supplement. “Some zinc supplements use animal-derived components like gelatin or magnesium stearate,” explains Sapna Peruvemba, RDN, “but I love this one because it’s vegan and made from whole food-sourced ingredients.”

“It provides a sensible 30 milligrams of zinc,” she notes, which is 273 percent of the DV. For vegans, who are at an increased risk of zinc deficiency because most zinc-rich foods are from animal sources, this dosage is appropriate. The zinc in this product is sourced from brown rice, and Peruvemba notes that the added raw probiotic and enzyme blend may help support digestion.

“Plus,” she says, “Garden of Life prioritizes quality with third-party testing and certifications.” It’s Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF Certified Gluten-Free. However, some reviewers say that the capsules have a strong unpleasant taste.

Each serving contains 1 milligram of zinc sulfate, which is 33 percent of the DV for infants ages 6 to 12 months. This supplement is organic, non-GMO, and third-party certified by the Clean Label Project — so it’s been tested for over 200 contaminants.

It costs over $0.50 per serving, which is comparable to other liquid zinc formulations for infants. Be sure to speak with a pediatrician or pediatric dietitian before giving your baby a zinc supplement. It’s also best to consult with a pediatrician about proper dosage, since preterm infants may have different zinc needs than others.

However, zinc carnosine is significantly more expensive than other types of zinc, and this supplement costs $0.66 per serving. Seeking Health advises taking it with a small amount of food.

It’s made with organic ingredients, and it provides 6.6 milligrams of zinc from zinc sulfate per serving (60 percent of the DV for children ages 4 to 18). You may also give a smaller dose of 3.75 milligrams to children ages 1 to 3 (125 percent of the DV for children ages 1 to 3), but make sure you discuss this with your child’s pediatrician beforehand to be sure it’s safe for your child.

It’s also non-GMO and third-party tested for safety and quality. However, it’s more expensive than comparable zinc supplements for children over the age of 4.

If you’re on a tight budget, NOW Zinc Gluconate is an excellent choice. Depending on where you purchase it, each serving costs $0.03 to $0.06. Additionally, the bottle contains 250 tablets, roughly an eight-month supply.

Designs for Health products are third-party tested to ensure label accuracy and lack of contaminants. This product is also vegan and non-GMO. It’s available on Amazon and the Designs for Health website but not other major online retailers, so your purchasing options are somewhat limited.

This product contains 15 milligrams of zinc from fermented zinc oxide, or 136 percent of the DV. It’s also certified organic by Where Food Comes From, Non-GMO Project Verified, and third-party tested for the presence of contaminants and heavy metals.

One serving provides 15 milligrams of zinc (136 percent of the DV) from two different forms of zinc, zinc arginate and zinc glycinate, along with 2 milligrams of copper (222 percent of the DV) from copper glycinate. The two forms of zinc are chelated, or bound in a way that helps support better absorption.

Whole Foods 365 products aren’t third-party tested. The company carefully vets its ingredient suppliers, according to its website, but there are no publicly available testing reports. This supplement is an affordable option at about $0.10 per serving.

Trace Minerals supplements are third-party tested for purity, label accuracy, and contaminants. This product has a strong bitter and metallic flavor, which some people say can cause a burning sensation. It’s best mixed into a flavored beverage to mask the taste. Additionally, it should be taken with a meal to help prevent digestive upset; several reviewers noted that taking it on an empty stomach made them vomit.

It costs roughly $0.32 per serving, so it’s a moderately priced option.