Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Moderate evidenceGut health

Zinc Carnosine

A zinc-carnosine chelate approved as a gastric ulcer drug in Japan since 1994, with reasonable evidence for mucosal repair and for improving H. pylori eradication rates. Nearly all human data comes from East Asia; Western trials are sparse and small.

What the science says

  • Improves H. pylori eradication rates as an adjunct Moderate evidence

    A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs found polaprezinc-based regimens achieved higher H. pylori eradication rates than standard triple therapy, with no increase in adverse events. Trials were predominantly conducted in East Asian populations, where background antibiotic resistance patterns differ from Europe and North America.

  • Protects against NSAID-induced small bowel damage Moderate evidence

    In the landmark human study (Mahmood, Gut 2007), 37.5 mg zinc carnosine twice daily for 5 days roughly halved the threefold increase in small-bowel permeability caused by indomethacin, and stimulated migration and proliferation of gut epithelial cells in vitro. Sample size was small (n=10 in the permeability crossover) and the endpoint was a surrogate marker, not clinical ulceration.

  • Heals gastric ulcers Moderate evidence

    Polaprezinc is licensed in Japan for gastric ulcer, and a multicentre randomised double-blind positive-controlled trial found it comparable to an active comparator for ulcer healing. It is not established as superior to, or a replacement for, proton pump inhibitors, which remain first-line.

  • Treats reflux, IBS or general 'gut healing' Limited evidence

    These are the uses driving Western sales, and they have essentially no RCT support. A small trial of polaprezinc enemas in ulcerative colitis showed some promise but does not generalise to oral use in otherwise healthy people.

Dosage & safety

Studied dose75 mg/day of zinc L-carnosine (polaprezinc), usually 37.5 mg twice daily before meals — this is the dose used in both the Japanese ulcer indication and the Mahmood permeability study. 75 mg of the chelate supplies roughly 16 mg elemental zinc, which counts toward your daily zinc total. Trial durations range from 5 days to 8 weeks.
SafetyWell tolerated in trials; occasional nausea, constipation and taste disturbance. The elemental zinc load matters: combining zinc carnosine with a multivitamin, a separate zinc supplement and zinc lozenges can push intake past the 40 mg/day tolerable upper limit, and chronic excess zinc causes copper deficiency, anaemia and neutropenia — add copper if using high doses long-term. Zinc reduces absorption of tetracyclines, quinolone antibiotics and bisphosphonates; separate doses by at least 2 hours. There are rare case reports of hepatic dysfunction and, in Japanese pharmacovigilance data, copper-deficiency myelopathy with long-term use. Regulatory note: polaprezinc is a prescription drug in Japan, South Korea and China, but sold as an unregulated dietary supplement in the US and UK, so potency and chelation quality vary between brands.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Source Naturals, GastricSoothe™, 120 Capsules

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