Zinc L-Carnosine (Zinc Carnosine) for Gastrointestinal Health

This zinc L-carnosine combination provides a natural and effective way to protect the integrity of gastric mucosa and combat acid reflux-associated disorders.

Here, we look at zinc carnosine to see what the benefits are and explain how to take it as a supplement. You might find this vital supplement provides the support you need for an overall health boost.

What is zinc carnosine?

Before getting into the benefits, side effects and other characteristics of zinc L-carnosine, it’s important to understand exactly what zinc carnosine is. The best way to explain that is to answer the question, what's the difference between zinc carnosine vs zinc? The zinc L-carnosine supplement combines elemental zinc and L-carnosine, creating a synergistic product that provides additional digestive benefits.

When zinc is obtained from food, it’s released very quickly, but bonding it to L-carnosine helps it achieve a slower release, making it more effective, especially when attempting to battle zinc deficiency.

Why choose Zinc L-carnosine (polaprezinc)?

Protecting the stomach lining and reducing discomfort associated with acid reflux often means using medication that causes side effects. This is particularly true in the case of proton pump inhibitors, which can often prevent the production of the stomach acids necessary for calcium absorption. This, in turn, can cause bones to become more brittle, increasing the chances of fractures and breaks.

And if you’re suffering from a zinc deficiency, it can lead to changes in the secretion of various cytokines, which can cause intestinal inflammation, reduce immune defenses in the stomach and destabilize cell membranes. Zinc L-carnosine, like any zinc supplement, may help combat the onset of a zinc deficiency and even correct an existing zinc deficiency that’s caused by a lack of zinc intake.

Zinc Carnosine Benefits

Zinc L-carnosine uses are largely gastrointestinal.

And, although some plants, like plantains and slippery elms, and foods, like licorice and marshmallows, are known for benefiting gut health, they simply cannot compare to zinc L-carnosine.

Studies have been conducted, revealing some of the potential zinc L-carnosine benefits — the most common are all related to taking zinc L-carnosine for gastritis. Below are more details:

• Combining the two elements of zinc and L-carnosine in equal parts produces a new molecule with properties that are superior to those of the two elements separately
• L-carnosine, which is naturally present in muscle tissue, optimizes the effect of zinc both by enabling it to reach the site of inflammation or ulceration and by fixing it to gastric mucosal cells
• Currently being studied is zinc L-carnosine’s effects on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — i.e. determining whether or not it may support GERD remission

In general, zinc carnosine uses are all related to supporting gastrointestinal health.

Zinc Carnosine Side Effects

Taking zinc carnosine gastritis supplements might seem like a common thing to do, but it's still important to consider the possible zinc L-carnosine side effects. Examining the zinc carnosine benefits and side effects shows that taking this supplement is considered relatively safe for most people.

However, it's important to do your own research before taking any new zinc carnosine supplements.

If you suffer from other conditions or are taking any other medications, you should speak with a healthcare provider before starting a new zinc L-carnosine gastritis regimen. Additionally, there isn't enough evidence to suggest whether pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should take zinc L-carnosine. For this reason, it's recommended that you speak with your physician before you buy zinc carnosine.

1. Choi H.S., Kim E.S., Keum B., Chun H.J., Sung M.-K. Betaine Chemistry, Analysis, Function and Effects. Royal Society of Chemistry; London, UK: 2015. L-Carnosine and Zinc in Gastric Protection; pp. 548–565.
2. Mahmood A., FitzGerald A.J., Marchbank T., Ntatsaki E., Murray D., Ghosh S., Playford R.J. Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes. Gut. 2007;56:168–175. doi: 10.1136/gut.2006.099929.
3. Sakagami M., Ikeda M., Tomita H., Ikui A., Aiba T., Takeda N., Inokuchi A., Kurono Y., Nakashima M., Shibasaki Y. A zinc-containing compound, Polaprezinc, is effective for patients with taste disorders: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study. Acta Oto Laryngol. 2009;129:1115–1120. doi: 10.1080/00016480802552550.
4. Takaoka T., Sarukura N., Ueda C., Kitamura Y., Kalubi B., Toda N., Abe K., Yamamoto S., Takeda N. Effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and ratio of apo/holo-activities of angiotensin converting enzyme in patients with taste impairment. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2010;37:190–194. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2009.07.003
5. Fujii H., Hirose C., Ishihara M., Iihara H., Imai H., Tanaka Y., Matsuhashi N., Takahashi T., Yamaguchi K., Yoshida K. Improvement of Dysgeusia by Polaprezinc, a zinc-L-carnosine, in outpatients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Anticancer Res. 2018;38:6367–6373. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.12995.
6. Yanase K., Funaguchi N., Iihara H., Yamada M., Kaito D., Endo J., Ito F., Ohno Y., Tanaka H., Itoh Y. Prevention of radiation esophagitis by polaprezinc (zinc L-carnosine) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received chemoradiotherapy. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. 2015;8:16215.
7. Miyoshi A., Namiki A., Asagi S., Harasawa S., Ooshiba S., Hayakawa K. Clinical Evaluation of Z-103 on Gastric Ulcer–A Multicenter Double-Blind Comparative Study with Cetraxate Hydrochloride. Jpn. Pharm. Ther. 1992;20:199–223.
8. Hayakawa A., Inoue M., Kunizaki M. Clinical evaluation of Z-103 on gastric ulcer. Yakuri Chiryo. 1992;20:255–264
9. Vallee B.L., Falchuk K.H. The biochemical basis of zinc physiology. Physiol. Rev. 1993;73:79–118. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1993.73.1.79
10. Masayuki F., Norihiko K., Keita T., Miwa I., Masayuki I., Toshihiko I., Hiromi F., Chikaaki M., Norio N. Efficacy and safety of polaprezinc as a preventive drug for radiation-induced stomatitis. Nihon Igaku Hoshasen Gakkai Zasshi. Nippon Acta Radiol. 2002;62:144–150.
11. Matsukura T., Tanaka H. Applicability of zinc complex of L-carnosine for medical use. Biochem. Biokhimiia. 2000;65:817–823.