Zinc deficiency, zinc supplements and allergic diseases
What it found
Low zinc levels in blood, cells, sputum, hair and nails have been linked to allergic diseases, and zinc supplements have improved some symptoms.
The picture is mixed, with studies disagreeing.
What they found
Studies in people
Zinc and asthma
Adults and children with asthma often had lower zinc levels in serum or sputum than healthy people. Low zinc was linked to more severe asthma, more attacks and worse lung function.
Zinc supplements for asthma
Some studies found zinc supplements eased wheezing, cough and breathlessness and improved lung function. Others found no effect, and one study found no difference between groups at the end of the study.
Zinc and chronic rhinosinusitis
Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis had lower serum zinc levels, and zinc in nasal tissue was lower than in healthy controls. Two studies found oral zinc supplements improved clinical status and general health.
Zinc and atopic dermatitis
Some studies found lower zinc levels in serum, red blood cells or hair of people with atopic dermatitis, and more severe cases had lower levels. Other studies found no difference compared with healthy people.
Zinc supplements for skin
One study found oral zinc increased serum zinc and reduced eczema severity, water loss and itching. In alopecia areata, two studies found zinc supplements sped up hair regrowth, but one found no significant difference.
Zinc and food allergy
Children with food allergies had lower serum zinc and a weaker antioxidant barrier than healthy children. More of them had been artificially fed from birth, which may lead to zinc deficiency.
Animal and lab studies
How zinc works in the body
In lab and animal studies, zinc deficiency disturbed immune cells, increased allergic inflammation and weakened barriers in the lungs, gut and skin. Zinc supplements restored some of these functions.
What the authors conclude
“The current literature suggests a link between zinc deficiency and the development of allergies, and shows positive effects of zinc supplementation on modulating the immune system and reducing allergic symptoms, which are discussed in more detail in this review.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that a large number of clinical studies link low zinc levels to allergic diseases, but contradictory results exist that could be due to different study designs.
- They advise that zinc supplementation should be considered as a promising additional treatment option for allergic diseases.
- They recommend following the general expert recommendations by the WHO, NIH or DGE for supplementation strategies.
How it was done
Allergic diseases are rising in Western and developing countries, and diet and nutrition seem to play an important role. The authors wanted to clarify the confusing and sometimes contradictory results on zinc and allergies.
They reviewed clinical studies, animal experiments and lab work on zinc levels and zinc supplements in people with allergic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, food allergies and allergic proctocolitis.
What it can’t tell you
- Many of the studies in people looked at zinc levels at one point in time, so they cannot show whether low zinc causes allergies or is a result of them.
- The studies used different doses, forms of zinc and designs, so the results cannot be combined to give one clear answer.
- Some findings come from animal or lab experiments, which cannot show what happens in people.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Supplementation in Allergic Diseases
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Maywald M, Rink L (2024). Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Supplementation in Allergic Diseases. Biomolecules. doi:10.3390/biom14070863Free full textPubMed 39062576DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error