Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Zinc
Men's health
Human studies reported between-group worsening in DNA fragmentation.
combination-ingredient studies · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Human studies · Includes patient groups · between-group comparison
Publications for this result: 1
Other outcomes and study details
Distinct publications linked to this topic: 2
- Route, form, dose, or population details are incomplete, so the findings cannot be confirmed as directly comparable.
- Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
What has been studied?
Distinct human comparison papers: 1
Some studies tested several ingredients together. Those results cannot show this ingredient’s separate effect or establish synergy.
DNA fragmentation
- Comparison result:A worse result than the comparison group was reported.Patient group · Combination study · 6 months after randomization
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Ingredient combination
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 6 months after randomization
- Study comparison: 5 mg folic acid plus 30 mg elemental zinc versus placebo
Research topics to explore
Research topics to explore
Review findings reported in each research area.
Topics with more linked papers appear first.
- View results
Glucose and metabolic health
Related papers 12 · human comparison papers 3
- Body weight · Improvement reported · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency
- Fasting plasma glucose · Improvement reported · Some studies used more than one ingredient · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency
More outcome groups: 8
- View results
Immune and respiratory health
Related papers 4 · human comparison papers 2
- ALRI cessation · Improvement reported · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency
- days with pneumonia · Improvement reported
More outcome groups: 3
- View results
Nutrient status
Related papers 4 · comparison findings need further review
- glycated hemoglobin · Finding details are limited
- umbilical cord blood zinc concentrations · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency · Comparison details unconfirmed
More outcome groups: 1
- View results
Stress and mood
Related papers 3 · comparison findings need further review
- depressive symptom scores · Interpretation held
- depressive symptoms · Interpretation held
More outcome groups: 1
- View results
Blood lipids
Related papers 2 · comparison findings need further review
- LDL cholesterol · Finding details are limited
- lipid profile · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency · Comparison details unconfirmed
More outcome groups: 1
- View selected result
Men's health
Related papers 2 · human comparison papers 1
- View results
Cognition
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- number connection test · Interpretation held
- View results
Skin, hair, and nails
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- View results
Women's health
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- birth weight · Comparison details unconfirmed
- risk of low birth weight · Comparison details unconfirmed
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: B
The 61.4 evidence score includes 2 independent human studies and 2 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The B tier remains conservative because of limited repetition across independent human clinical studies, limited repeated evidence for directly felt outcomes.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 58
Papers linked to this topic 2 · distinct papers 2 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 1 · papers needing additional review 1
Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- DNA fragmentation: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
Glucose and metabolic health
What the research found
body weight
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Fasting plasma glucose
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
HbA1C
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
insulin
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
IS%
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Fasting blood glucose
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
fasting glucose
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
HbA1c
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Insulin resistance
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Body weight
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
weight-for-age Z-score
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
weight-for-height Z-score
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Animal study · indirect · Single ingredient · Patient group
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 3 measured outcomes
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled human study · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Immune and respiratory health
What the research found
ALRI cessation
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
days with pneumonia
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
human immunodeficiency virus
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
pneumonia
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Single ingredient · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
pneumonia
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Single ingredient · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
upper respiratory infection
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Nutrient status
What the research found
glycated hemoglobin
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
umbilical cord blood zinc concentrations
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Separable contribution · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
zinc deficiency prevalence
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Deficiency group
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Stress and mood
What the research found
depressive symptom scores
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Patient group
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
depressive symptoms
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
risk of depression
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Separable contribution · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Blood lipids
What the research found
LDL cholesterol
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Total cholesterol
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
lipid profile
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Men's health
What the research found
DNA fragmentation
The study reported worsening in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Cognition
What the research found
number connection test
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Skin, hair, and nails
What the research found
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Separable contribution · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Women's health
What the research found
birth weight
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
risk of low birth weight
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
Caution findings
1
Findings from individual and combined use, plus reviewed cautions
Key precautions
No reviewed caution rules are available yet. Reported caution findings are shown below.
Review 1 combination findings and 0 findings that outperformed an ingredient alone.
These findings were reported in studies. They do not predict an individual's experience.
Findings to review with care
Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.
Side effects reported with this ingredient alone
Symptoms or adverse events reported in studies without another active ingredient.
vomiting occurrence within 30 minutes after administration1 papers
Lower doses of zinc (5-10 mg/day) significantly reduced vomiting within 30 minutes of administration compared with 20 mg/day in children with acute diarrhea.Human studies · Randomized controlled trialReported improvements with combinations
Combination findings are grouped by how the study compared them. This is not a recommendation to combine ingredients.
Combinations with reported improvement
The combination showed improvement, but each ingredient's contribution is unclear.
마그네슘Co-supplementation with magnesium oxide and zinc sulfate resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers compared to placebo.