Difference Between Zinc & Chelated Zinc

You feel a little under the weather, and you're sniffling in the supplements aisle trying to determine which type of zinc will rid you of your symptoms most quickly. In addition to various standard zinc supplements, chelated zinc is now available at most drugstores. Chelated zinc is different from standard zinc supplements because the mineral is attached to other organic substances, which are supposed to promote absorption of the mineral.

Zinc Supplement

• Zinc is one of many minerals required to keep the body healthy. Because cooking food and the milling process of prepackaged food remove natural zinc content, many people wishing to enjoy the benefits of zinc frequently take zinc supplements. Zinc supplements come in different forms and strengths and are available over the counter at drugstores. The recommended dietary allowance of zinc is 10 mg for children, 15 mg for adult men and between 12 mg and 15 mg for adult women.

Zinc Supplement Uses

• One use of zinc supplements is to prevent colds when a person feels cold symptoms coming on. Zinc helps to boost the immune system so the extra intake can help prevent illness or reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Zinc aids cell division, so it can also promote the health of your hair, nails and skin, while preventing or reducing skin problems such as acne and boils. Additionally, zinc helps promote muscle growth and prevents existing muscle tissue from being destroyed.

Chelated Zinc

• Chelated zinc is a type of zinc supplement in which the zinc mineral has been bound to an amino acid or another organic base. When you begin taking any vitamin or mineral supplement, your body may not recognize it as a nutrient at first, and will not absorb it into your body. For that reason, many people do not feel the effects of taking a supplement until they have been taking them for several weeks. Proponents of chelated zinc and other chelated minerals claim that the amino acid or other organic material helps the body recognize it as a nutrient -- promoting absorption.

Considerations

• The nutritional benefits of chelated zinc over a standard zinc supplement are debated. Standard zinc supplements, when taken with food, bond to the food in your intestines, which can help promote absorption. As with any supplement, eating certain foods before taking zinc can also promote absorption. For instance, fat and vitamin C help to increase mineral absorption, while fiber decreases it. Additionally, chelated zinc supplements cost more than standard zinc pills.