Zinc bisglycinate releases more zinc during digestion than most other forms, especially when taken without food, and still performs well when taken with meals, likely due to its stable chemical structure.
Claim Context
Zinc bisglycinate demonstrates higher bioaccessibility than most other forms under fasting conditions (19.35%) and remains among the top performers in dietary contexts, suggesting its molecular structure may enhance zinc release during digestion.
“The highest Zn bioaccessibility was observed for P5 supplement (Zn bisglycinate) (19.35%), a significantly higher value than for most other products (p ≤ 0.0002).”
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether zinc bisglycinate consistently results in higher zinc absorption and improved zinc status compared to other forms in humans across diverse populations and dietary contexts.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all RCTs using stable isotope tracers to compare zinc absorption from bisglycinate, picolinate, gluconate, sulfate, and oxide in adults, with standardized dosing (15 mg Zn), dietary conditions (low/high phytate), and outcomes measured over 4–12 weeks.
Whether zinc bisglycinate (15 mg/day) increases serum zinc more than zinc gluconate (15 mg/day) over 8 weeks in adults consuming a high-phytate diet.
A double-blind RCT with 50 adults on a high-phytate diet, randomized to receive 15 mg Zn/day as bisglycinate or gluconate for 8 weeks, with serum zinc measured by ICP-MS and zinc absorption quantified via Zn-67 tracer at baseline and week 6.
Whether long-term use of zinc bisglycinate supplements predicts higher serum zinc levels compared to other forms in individuals with plant-based diets.
A prospective cohort of 700 adults on plant-based diets for 5 years, tracking supplement form (bisglycinate, gluconate, oxide, etc.), dose, and frequency, with annual serum zinc measurements and adjustment for phytate intake and BMI.
Whether individuals taking zinc bisglycinate supplements have higher serum zinc levels than those taking other forms in a mixed-diet population.
A cross-sectional survey of 1,200 adults measuring supplement form used (bisglycinate, gluconate, picolinate, etc.), daily zinc intake, serum zinc, and dietary phytate intake, with adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and medication use.
Whether switching from zinc gluconate to bisglycinate improves zinc status in a patient with persistent deficiency despite supplementation.
A case series of 5 individuals with documented zinc deficiency (serum zinc <70 µg/dL) and prior use of gluconate, who switched to bisglycinate (15 mg/day) for 12 weeks, with serum zinc measured before and after.