Zinc Bisglycinate
Also known as: zinc glycinate, chelated zinc, zinc bis-glycinate, zinc amino acid chelate
Zinc chelated with two glycine molecules, sold as a gentle, well-absorbed form for people who get nausea from zinc salts. A single-dose crossover study in twelve women found higher plasma zinc exposure from bisglycinate than from gluconate. Commercial chelates deliver roughly 25% elemental zinc, though buffered blends vary. It is a popular choice in prenatal, immune, and skin formulas where tolerability matters.
Research summary
Supplies zinc for enzyme and immune function; the glycine chelate is thought to remain intact through the stomach and be absorbed with less competition from dietary inhibitors.
Dosage
Daily amounts, elemental (25% of the compound is the element).
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 10–25 mg | 40 mg | 40 mg |
NIH ODS — UL of 40 mg/day for adults from all sources
Doses are elemental zinc. Can be taken with or without food and is usually the best-tolerated form on an empty stomach. Elemental content of commercial bisglycinate ranges from about 20% to 30% depending on buffering with zinc oxide — verify against the supplier's certificate of analysis. Capped at the 40 mg UL.
Source material: synthetic chelate (zinc with glycine)
As supplied: Commercial grades ≈ 20–30% Zn; 0.25 assumed
Forms of Zinc
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Bisglycinate | 10–25 mg | 25% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | mid |
| Zinc Gluconate | 10–25 mg | 14% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Zinc Picolinate | 10–25 mg | 21% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Zinc Citrate | 10–25 mg | 31% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid | low |
| Zinc Oxide | 10–25 mg | 80% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Gummy | low |
| Zinc Monomethionine | 10–25 mg | 21% | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Small dose, fits any format. Slightly sweet from glycine; low metallic taste.
Formulation notes
Iron of 25 mg or more in the same serving lowers zinc absorption. Reduces absorption of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics. Pair with copper in long-term products above about 25 mg.
- Has an upper limit
Sources
Related ingredients
Zinc Gluconate
MineralThe most common zinc salt in multivitamins, lozenges, and immune products, containing about 14.3% elemental zinc.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Zinc Picolinate
MineralZinc chelated with picolinic acid, a tryptophan metabolite that is proposed to aid mineral transport across the gut wall.
Typical: 10–25 mg
Copper Bisglycinate
MineralCopper chelated with two glycine molecules, supplying about 25% elemental copper in commercial grades.
Typical: 0.5–2 mg
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
VitaminAscorbic acid is the reference form of vitamin C and the most common form in supplements; NIH ODS notes its bioavailability equals that of vitamin C naturally present in food.
Typical: 250–1,000 mg
Collagen Peptides (Bovine, Type I/III)
ProteinEnzymatically hydrolyzed collagen from bovine hide or bone, delivering short peptides rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
Typical: 2.5–15 g