Zinc supplements with the fewest additives

Zinc supplements may assist the immune system, fight acne, and more. However, many zinc supplement brands contain more than just zinc. For example, silica or silicon dioxide are often added to prevent caking, magnesium stearate or stearic acid for easier manufacturing, hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) as an emulsifier or thickener, and povidone as a binder.

I try to avoid these additives because they may have questionable health effects. If you want to do the same, my recommendations for the purest zinc supplements are:

Recommended as purest zinc capsules:

Swanson Ultra Zinc Orotate (Veggie Capsules)
Available on SwansonVitamins.com
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
  • free of Plasdone products / povidone
Negatives:
  • contains hypromellose / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
All ingredients:

Zinc orotate, rice bran extract, hypromellose (vegetable capsule).

Recommended as purest zinc lozenges:

Super Natural Zinc (Lozenges)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of Plasdone products / povidone
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

Zinc oxide, vitamin C, vitamin A, bee propolis.

Best option that's widely available in stores:

Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy All Natural (Lozenges)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of Plasdone products / povidone
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Cold-EEZE wouldn't tell me the exact formulations of their natural flavors, but said that the flavors come from cherry, honey, strawberry, lemons, mint, or fruits, depending on which flavor you choose.

Recommended as purest powdered zinc:

NutraBio Zinc Gluconate Powder
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
  • hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
  • free of Plasdone products / povidone
Negatives:
(none)
All ingredients:

Zinc (elemental, as zinc gluconate).


Other zinc supplements

The following are other zinc supplements I'm aware of, sorted alphabetically.

Name Ingredients
21st Century Health Care Zinc (Tablets)

Calcium (as calcium carbonate), zinc (as amino acid chelate), stearic acid, croscaramellos sodium, cellulose, silicon dioxide, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate.

21st Century Health Care Zinc Chewable Cherry Flavored (Chewable)

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), zinc (as zinc aspartate), sorbitol, sucrose, maltodextrin cellulose, stearic acid, natural cherry flavor, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, FD&C red #40.

Allergy Research Group Zinc Citrate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc citrate), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.

Bluebonnet Nutrition Chelated Zinc (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (zinc bisglycinate chelate), 100% kosher vegetable capsules, vegetable cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Bluebonnet Nutrition EarthSweet Zinc Lozenges Natural Orange Flavor (Lozenges)

Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate), zinc (zinc gluconate, zinc citrate), sodium (sodium ascorbate), natural orange flavor, EarthSweet [juice concentrates (wild blueberry, cranberry, prune, cherry, strawberry, grape, raspberry and bilberry fruits, grape seed, raspberry seed extracts), cane crystals], orange crystals, stearic acid, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Bluebonnet Nutrition Zinc Picolinate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (zinc picolinate), 100% kosher vegetable capsules, vegetable cellulose, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Carlson Labs Chelated Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc glycinate chelate), microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, carob powder, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium.

Cold Eeze Cold Remedy All Natural Cherry Flavor (Lozenges)

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Cold Eeze Zinc Gluconate Glycine Cold Remedy Honey Lemon Flavor (Lozenges)

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, honey, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Cold Eeze Zinc Gluconate Glycine Cold Remedy Lemon Lime Flavor (Lozenges)

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Cold Eeze Zinc Gluconate Glycine Cold Remedy Mint Frost Flavor (Lozenges)

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Cold Eeze Zinc Gluconate Glycine Cold Remedy Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Flavor (Tablets)

Zincum gluconicum, cocoa power, corn dextrin, lactitol, magnesium stearate, malic acid, peppermint flavor, silicon dioxide, stearic acid and sucralose.

Cold Eeze Zinc Gluconate Glycine Cold Remedy Tropical Orange Flavor (Lozenges)

Zincum gluconicum, corn syrup, glycine, natural flavors and sucrose.

Country Life Gluten Free Chelated Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate), cellulose, stearic acid, cellulose & glycerin coating, silica, magnesium stearate, vegetable glaze.

Country Life Gluten Free Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc citrate, histidinate, picolinate, alpha-ketoglutarate, aspartate), cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, cellulose & glycerin coating, silica, vegetable glaze.

Country Life Gluten Free Zinc Lozenges with Vitamin C Cherry Flavor (Lozenges)

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, acerola berry extract 4:1), zinc (as zinc gluconate, zinc citrate), sodium (as sodium ascorbate), acerola berry extract 4:1, fructose, glucose, sorbitol, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica, cellulose, natural cherry flavor, citric acid, cherry juice crystals, beet powder.

Country Life Gluten Free Zinc Picolinate (Tablets)

Calcium (as tricalcium phosphate), zinc (as zinc picolinate), cellulose, cellulose & glycerin coating, stearic acid, silica, magnesium stearate, vegetable glaze.

Dr. Mercola Zinc Complex An Essential Mineral (Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate, zinc amino acid chelate and zinc citrate), microcrystalline cellulose, ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose).

Eidon Mineral Supplements Zinc (Liquid)

Zinc sulfate, purified water.

Jarrow Formulas Zinc Balance (Capsules)

Zinc (as l-monomethionine) (from l-OptiZinc), copper (as gluconate), cellulose and magnesium stearate (vegetable source), capsule consists of gelatin.

Life Extension Zinc Lozenges (Lozenges)

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate), zinc (as zinc oxide, aspartate, gluconate), sucrose, mannitol, maltodextrin, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, natural orange flavor, hydroxypropyl, methylcellulose, modified cornstarch. Contains soybeans. Contains corn.

MBI Nutraceuticals Zinc & Silver Lozenges (Lozenges)

Zinc, argentum, belladonna, rhus tox, cinnabaris, spongia, sticta, drosera, in a base of maltodextrin, vegetable lubricants, ascorbic acid, magnesium stearate, silica, orange flavor, citric acid and stevia extract.

MegaFood Zinc (Tablets)

FoodState nutrients, zinc (s. cerevisiae), nourishing whole food blend (organic spinach, organic beet root, organic parsley, organic carrot, organic rice bran), immune health blend s. cerevisiae (source of naturally occurring beta glucans & glutathione), organic broccoli (natural source of sulforaphane), plant cellulose, vegetable lubricant, silica.

Metabolic Maintenance Zinc Picolinate (Capsules)

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid and ascorbyl palmitate), zinc (as zinc picolinate), vegetarian capsule.

Natrol Zinc (Capsules)

Zinc (from zinc gluconate and zinc picolinate), gelatin, water, cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica.

Natrol Zinc (Capsules)

Zinc (from zinc picolinate and zinc gluconate), gelatin, water, cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica.

Natural Factors Zinc Chelate (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc HVP chelate), cellulose, magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).

Natural Factors Zinc Citrate (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc citrate), cellulose, magnesium stearate (vegetable grade).

Nature's Bounty Chelated Zinc (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), vegetable cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable stearic acid.

Nature's Life Zinc (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc picolinate), copper (as copper gluconate, citrate), cellulose, vegetarian capsule, silica and magnesium stearate.

Nature's Plus Dyno-Mins Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (phytavail complex - proprietary blend of soluble plant based minerals, picolinate, aspartate, ascorbate, aminoate, rare earth elements and fructooligosaccharides [from dahlia inula tuber and chicory root]), microcrystalline cellulose, di-calcium phosphate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate and pharmaceutical glaze.

Nature's Plus Source of Life Animal Parade Kid Zinc Lozenges Natural Tangerine Flavor

Zinc (as aspartate, monomethionine), botaniplex (a complex of echinacea extract [echinacea angustifolia root and rhizome], olive leaf extract [olea europa], slippery elm [ulmus rubra bark], ginger extract [zingiber officinale root]), fructose, natural flavors, citric acid, stearic acid, guar gum, magnesium stearate, silica and natural color.

Nature's Way Zinc Chelate (Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate), millet, cellulose, gelatin (capsule), maltodextrin, magnesium stearate.

Nature's Way Zinc Lozenges Natural Berry Flavor (Lozenges)

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), zinc (as citrate/gluconate), echinacea purpurea (stem, leaf, flower), stevia dried extract (leaf), sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, wildberry flavor, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium stearate, french vanilla flavor.

New Chapter Organics Zinc Food Complex (Tablets)

Probiotics nutrients zinc, organic cultured herbal extracts (proprietary blend) LifeShield response [schizandra (berry), maca (root), artichoke (leaf), fenugreek (seed)], immune support response [astragalus (root), elderberry (berry), shiitake (mushroom), cordyceps (mushroom), reishi (mushroom), maitake (mushroom)], superfoods and spices (proprietary blend) organic spinach (leaf), organic blueberry (fruit), ginger (rhizome) hydroethanolic extract and mg organic supercritical extract, turmeric (rhizome) hydroethanolic extract and organic supercritical extract, organic, probiotic nutrients, organic gum acacia, silica, organic pre-gelatinized maize starch, lac resin, and carnauba wax. Contains: fermented soy.

Now Foods Elderberry & Zinc (Lozenges)

Sorbitol, vitamin C (as ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate), zinc (from zinc gluconate), elderberry concentrate (sambucus nigra) (fruit), echinacea purpurea (root), bee propolis, slippery elm bark (ulmus rubra) (bark), fructose, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), magnesium stearate (vegetable source), silica, natural vanilla flavor and natural raspberry flavor.

Now Foods Elderberry Zinc & Echinacea Syrup

Zinc (from zinc citrate), elder (sambucus nigra) (flowers), elderberry (sambucus nigra), echniacea purpurea (root extract) and zinc citrate, vegetable glycerin and water.

Now Foods L-OptiZinc (Capsules)

Zinc (from l-OptiZinc monomethionine), copper (as amino acid chelate), rice flour, gelatin (capsule) and magnesium stearate (vegetable source).

Now Foods Saw Palmetto Extract (Softgels)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), saw palmetto berry extract (serenoa repens) (fruit), pumpkin seed oil, gelatin, glycerin, carob, water and beeswax.

Now Foods Ultimate Zinc-C (Lozenges)

Vitamin A (from retinyl palmitate), vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), zinc (from zinc gluconate), echinacea purpurea root, bee propolis, slippery elm (ulmus fulva) (bark), goldenseal root (hydrastis canadensis), acerola, fructose, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), magnesium stearate (vegetable source), natural vanilla flavor and natural pineapple flavor.

Now Foods Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), cellulose, magnesium stearate (vegetable source), silica and vegetable coating.

Now Foods Zinc Glycinate (Softgels)

Zinc (from zinc glycinate) (amino acid chelate) (TRAACS) (albion), pumpkin seed oil (cold-pressed), softgel capsule (gelatin, glycerin, water, carob), soy lecithin and beeswax.

Now Foods Zinc Picolinate (Capsules)

Zinc (from zinc picolinate), rice flour, gelatin (capsule) and magnesium stearate (vegetable source).

NutraLife Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), cellulose, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, silica.

Nutricology Zinc Citrate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc citrate), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.

Nutricology Zinc Picolinate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc picolinate), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.

Nutrient Carriers Incorporated Advanced Research Zinc Orotate (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc orotate), provsolv, pure food glaze, plasdone, ac-di-sol, mag, carbonate, mag, stearate, compitrol and avicel.

Nutrient Carriers Incorporated Zinc Orotate (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc orotate), provsolv, pure food glaze, plasdone, ac-di-sol, mag carbonate, mag stearate, compritol and avicel.

Rexall Sundown Naturals Zinc High Potency (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), vegetable cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable stearic acid.

Solgar Chelated Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc glycinate amino acid chelate), microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable stearic acid.

Solgar Zinc (Tablets)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Solgar Zinc Citrate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc citrate), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable stearic acid.

Solgar Zinc Picolinate (Tablets)

Calcium (as dicalcium phosphate), zinc (as zinc picolinate), dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, vegetable cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate.

Source Naturals Wellness Zinc Lozenges Peach-Raspberry (Lozenges)

Vitamin C (as zinc ascorbate), zinc (as zinc gluconate), fructose, natural peach flavor, stearic acid, natural raspberry flavor and magnesium stearate.

Source Naturals Zinc (Tablets)

Calcium, zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate), copper (as copper sebacate), dibasic calcium phosphate, sorbitol, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, modified cellulose gum, and magnesium stearate.

Thorne Research Double Strength Zinc Picolinate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc picolinate), aspartic acid, hypromellose (derived from cellulose), capsule, leucine, silicon dioxide.

Thorne Research Zinc Citrate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc citrate), aspartic acid, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, leucine, silicon dioxide.

Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate (Veggie Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc picolinate), aspartic acid, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, leucine, silicon dioxide.

Thorne Research Zinc Sulfate 7-Hydrate (Liquid)

Zinc (as zinc sulfate, 7 hydrate), purified water.

Trace Minerals Research Liquimins Ionic Zinc

Magnesium, zinc sulfate, copper gluconate, chloride, sulfate, boron, purified water, ConcenTrace, citric acid, potassium benzoate.

Twinlab Zinc Caps (Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate dihydrate, zinc picolinate), potato starch, gelatin, medium chain triglycerides, magnesium stearate.

Twinlab Zinc Caps (Capsules)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate dihydrate, zinc picolinate), gelatin, magnesium stearate, magnesium stearate.

Zand Echinacea Zinc Herbalozenge Very Cherry (Lozenges)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), proprietary blend: brown rice syrup, natural cherry flavor, citric acid, and extracts of echinacea purpurea root, hibiscus flower, orange peel, lemon peel, rose hips, lemon grass herb, perilla leaf and schizonepeta herb.

Zand Elderberry Zinc Herbalozenge Sweet Elderberry (Lozenges)

Zinc (as zinc gluconate), proprietary blend: brown rice syrup, black elderberry extract, natural raspberry flavor and citric acid in an herbal base of hibiscus flower, orange peel, lemon peel, rose hips, lemon grass herb, perilla leaf and schizonepeta herb.

Zand Lemon Zinc Herbalozenge Natural Lemon Flavor (Lozenges)

Sodium, zinc (as zinc gluconate), proprietary blend: brown rice syrup, lemon oil, and menthol in an herbal base of eucalyptus leaf, hyssop herb, sage leaf, thyme leaf, mullein leaf, peppermint leaf, licorice root, horehound herb and slippery elm bark.

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