Zinc Picolinate Supplements

What is zinc picolinate?

Zinc picolinate is zinc bound to picolinic acid — a chelated form many people choose for its absorption. It's one of several zinc forms (alongside citrate, gluconate and bisglycinate), and works the same way in the body once absorbed.

What people take zinc for

Zinc is an essential mineral the body uses to help maintain normal immune function, healthy skin, and energy metabolism, and it plays a part in connective tissue formation. It's a popular everyday mineral, especially through cold and flu season.

Zinc with copper

Several formulas here pair zinc with a small amount of copper. Taking higher-dose zinc over the long term can lower the body's copper, so the added copper helps keep the two minerals in balance — useful if you take zinc daily for an extended period.

Strengths and how to choose

• Common strengths — capsules here range from 15 mg to 50 mg of elemental zinc.
• More isn't always better — the adult tolerable upper limit is about 40 mg a day, so higher-strength options are best kept short-term or used with guidance.
• With or without copper — choose a with-copper formula for long-term daily use.

A note on safety

Take zinc with food — on an empty stomach it can cause nausea. Long-term high doses can interfere with copper, so stay within recommended amounts and check with your pharmacist if you take it daily, take other supplements or are on medication.

Zinc picolinate in Canada

Every zinc picolinate here is stocked in Canada and ships from our Ontario warehouse. For other forms and lozenges, see our full zinc range and immune health collection.