What is Zinc glycinate

Zinc glycinate is a compound of zinc and amino acid glycine.

What is it for?

Skin problems

Active studies of skin science have gradually clarified the underlying mechanisms of skin problems regarding skin beauty. The major skin problems are the alterations in appearance such as the hyperpigmentation and wrinkling caused by age. Those skin alterations are accelerated by solar light, particularly by ultraviolet rays, and it has been reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) also involves in most of those processes. Thus, the reduction of oxidative stress induced by intracellular ROS is one approach to prevent and improve hyperpigmentation and wrinkling. Zn(2+) is well-known as an inducer of MT (metallothionein) and γGCS (γ-glutamyl cysteinyl synthetase: a rate-limiting enzyme of glutathione synthesis) via the up-regulation of their mRNAs through a metal transcription factor. The inductions of both MT and glutathione are expected to reduce oxidative stress due to the more effective scavenging of intracellular ROS. Several complexes of Zn(2+) and amino acids were synthesized and then evaluated for effects on MT synthesis in HaCaT keratinocytes. Among the complexes tested, we found a superior induction by a Zn(2+) glycine complex, Zn(Gly)(2). The anti-pigmentation and anti-wrinkling effects of Zn(Gly)(2) are introduced in this paper (1).

Plasma

Some zinc (Zn) research studies have used either Zn gluconate or Zn glycinate, but the two forms have not been compared much. Therefore, a moderately high dose of the two forms (60 mg Zn/day) were compared in a 6-week intervention in young adult women. Plasma Zn, the traditional assessment of Zn status, was increased in all subjects given Zn glycinate (N = 10), while no significant change was seen overall for Zn gluconate or placebo (N = 10 each). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, a marker for Zn-induced copper deficiency, was unchanged in all three groups. Thus, for the conditions of this study, Zn glycinate effectively changed Zn status better than Zn gluconate, but neither impacted copper status (2).

Oxidative stress

A zinc(II)–glycine complex is an effective inducer of metallothionein and removes oxidative stress (3).

Molecular Formula : C₄H₈N₂O₄Zn

Molecular Weight : 213.51

CAS : 7214-08-6

Synonyms :

• Zinc Bis-Glycinate
• Glycene Zinc Salt
• Glycine zinc
• Glycine Zinc Salt
• Zinc bisglycinate

References_________________

(1) Possible use of zinc ions for anti-pigmentation and anti-wrinkling skin care.

Masaki H.

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2012;132(3):261-9. Review. Japanese.

(2) Moderately High Dose Zinc Gluconate or Zinc Glycinate: Effects on Plasma Zinc and Erythrocyte Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Young Adult Women.

DiSilvestro RA, Koch E, Rakes L

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2015 Nov;168(1):11-4. doi: 10.1007/s12011-015-0334-3. Epub 2015 Apr 17.

(3) A zinc(II)-glycine complex is an effective inducer of metallothionein and removes oxidative stress.

Masaki H, Ochiai Y, Okano Y, Yagami A, Akamatsu H, Matsunaga K, Sakurai H, Suzuki K.

J Dermatol Sci. 2007 Jan;45(1):73-5. Epub 2006 Oct 12