Zinc for Acute Diarrhea
AWHO/UNICEF recommend zinc (20 mg/day for 10-14 days) for all children with acute diarrhea. Reduces duration by ~25% and decreases subsequent diarrhea episodes for 2-3 months.
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A
The Bottom Line
WHO/UNICEF recommend zinc (20 mg/day for 10-14 days) for all children with acute diarrhea. Reduces duration by ~25% and decreases subsequent diarrhea episodes for 2-3 months.
Key Study Findings
Review
The interplay between malnutrition, persistent diarrhea, lactose intolerance, and food associated gut dysbiosis in children; …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: None
Effect: None
None
Population: children with persistent diarrhea, lactose intolerance, and gut dysbiosis in low/middle-income countries
Other
Clinical practice guidelines for acute infectious diarrhea in children in China (2024).
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: None
Effect: None
None
Population: Clinical practice guidelines for pediatric acute diarrhea
Randomized Controlled Trial
Open-label
Mobile phone call reminders to improve oral rehydration salt and zinc adherence for acute diarrhea …
Dose: ORS and zinc tablets
vs: Standard care (no reminders)
Outcome: ORS and zinc adherence rates
Effect: None
None
Population: Children <5 with acute diarrhea
Review
Lactose intolerance: myths and facts. An update.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Lactose digestion and tolerance management
Effect: None
None
Population: Lactose intolerant individuals
Randomized Controlled Trial
n=454
1 weeks
Double-blind
Efficacy and safety of Bacillus clausii (O/C, N/R, SIN, T) probiotic combined with oral rehydration …
Dose: 2 billion spores/5mL BID x 5 days
vs: Placebo + ORT + zinc
Outcome: Duration of acute diarrhea
Effect: Median 42.83h vs 42.13h (HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.77-1.13)
p=0.70
Population: Children 6mo-5y with acute moderate diarrhea in India
Key Statistics
33
Studies
10000
Participants
↑
Positive
A
Grade
Referenced Papers
BMC pediatrics
2026
World journal of …
2025
2 citations
BMC health services …
2024
1 citations
Archivos argentinos de …
2022
42 citations
Tropical diseases, travel …
2022
17 citations
Nutrition reviews
2022
3 citations
Has Zinc Lost Its Shine?
Other
The Journal of …
2022
ACS infectious diseases
2021
26 citations
Journal of dairy …
2020
58 citations
The New England …
2020
50 citations
Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology …
2019
17 citations
Cureus
2019
11 citations
Brain and nerve …
2019
1 citations
PloS one
2018
76 citations
World journal of …
2018
52 citations
PloS one
2018
48 citations
Antimicrobial resistance and …
2018
46 citations
Interventions to reduce post-acute consequences of diarrheal disease in children: a systematic review.
Systematic Review
BMC public health
2018
23 citations
Approach to "Upset Stomach".
Review
Indian journal of …
2017
1 citations
Effects of zinc or synbiotic on the duration of diarrhea in children with acute infectious diarrhea.
RCT
The Turkish journal …
2016
36 citations
Allergologia et immunopathologia
2016
31 citations
Current opinion in …
2016
13 citations
Zhongguo dang dai …
2016
9 citations
Systematic reviews
2016
Antimicrobial resistance and …
2015
113 citations
Journal of trace …
2015
33 citations
Serum levels of vitamins A and D, and zinc in children with acute diarrhea: A cross-sectional study.
Other
Medical journal of …
2015
15 citations
Zinc supplementation in acute diarrhea.
Meta-Analysis
Indian journal of …
2015
13 citations
Indian journal of …
2015
4 citations
Current gastroenterology reports
2014
40 citations
Expert review of …
2014
37 citations
Advances in nutrition …
2013
807 citations
Oral zinc supplementation for the treatment of acute diarrhea in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Meta-Analysis
Nutrients
2013
89 citations
Annals of nutrition …
2013
82 citations
Zinc supplementation for treating diarrhea in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Meta-Analysis
Revista panamericana de …
2013
38 citations
Indian journal of …
2013
26 citations
Journal of clinical …
2013
15 citations
Expert opinion on …
2012
73 citations
Acta scientiarum polonorum. …
2012
11 citations
Current infectious disease …
2012
Current opinion in …
2011
59 citations
Current opinion in …
2011
31 citations
The Journal of …
2011
30 citations
Therapeutic value of zinc supplementation in acute and persistent diarrhea: a systematic review.
Meta-Analysis
PloS one
2010
114 citations
Supplementing iron and zinc: double blind, randomized evaluation of separate or combined delivery.
RCT
European journal of …
2010
51 citations
Food and nutrition …
2009
313 citations
Zinc deficiency.
Review
Current opinion in …
2009
72 citations
BMC medicine
2009
45 citations
A meta-analysis of the effects of oral zinc in the treatment of acute and persistent diarrhea.
Meta-Analysis
Pediatrics
2008
180 citations
Current opinion in …
2008
55 citations
The American journal …
2007
106 citations
Journal of clinical …
2007
48 citations
Nutrition (Burbank, Los …
2007
39 citations
Archives de pediatrie …
2007
13 citations
Gastroenterology
2006
93 citations
Journal of pediatric …
2006
55 citations
Journal of pediatric …
2006
54 citations
Biological trace element …
2006
27 citations
Indian journal of …
2006
25 citations
Zinc and pneumonia.
Other
The American journal …
2006
23 citations
Annals of tropical …
2005
92 citations
Indian pediatrics
2005
The Journal of …
2003
359 citations
Paediatric drugs
2003
125 citations
Cost effectiveness and …
2003
32 citations
Journal of health, …
2003
MMWR. Recommendations and …
2003
Pediatrics
2002
154 citations
The British journal …
2001
74 citations
The British journal …
2001
30 citations
The American journal …
2000
556 citations
The Journal of …
1999
37 citations
JPEN. Journal of …
1999
26 citations
The American journal …
1998
252 citations
The American journal …
1998
121 citations
The American journal …
1998
28 citations
The Journal of …
1998
3 citations
Nederlands tijdschrift voor …
1991
Indian pediatrics
1990
8 citations
Clinica chimica acta; …
1986
15 citations
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- general:
- 8-11 mg/day (RDA for adults)
- infantdiarrhea:
- 10 mg/day for 10-14 days (WHO recommendation for infants <6 months)
- pediatricdiarrhea:
- 20 mg/day for 10-14 days (WHO recommendation for children >6 months)
- gutbarriersupport:
- 15-30 mg/day elemental zinc
Upper limit: 40 mg/day elemental zinc for adults (risk of copper depletion above this level)
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Neutral | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| ORS and zinc tablets | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Neutral | -- |
| 2 billion spores/5mL BID x 5 days | 1 weeks | Neutral | 454 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
Best taken: With food to reduce nausea; space from antibiotics and iron by 2 hours
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ Nausea and vomiting (most common, especially on empty stomach)
- ⚠ Metallic taste
- ⚠ Copper depletion with long-term supplementation above 40 mg/day
- ⚠ Diarrhea (paradoxically, at high doses)
Known Interactions
- ● Tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics (zinc reduces absorption; space 2 hours)
- ● Penicillamine (zinc reduces absorption; space 2 hours)
- ● Iron supplements (mutual inhibition of absorption; take at different times)
- ● Copper supplements (zinc competes with copper for absorption)
Tolerable upper intake: 40 mg/day elemental zinc for adults (risk of copper depletion above this level)
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zinc help with Acute Diarrhea?
Based on 33 studies with 10,000 participants, there is strong evidence from multiple clinical trials that Zinc may support Acute Diarrhea management. Our evidence grade is A (Strong Evidence).
How much Zinc should I take for Acute Diarrhea?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 8-11 mg/day (RDA for adults). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Zinc?
Reported side effects may include Nausea and vomiting (most common, especially on empty stomach), Metallic taste, Copper depletion with long-term supplementation above 40 mg/day, Diarrhea (paradoxically, at high doses). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Zinc and Acute Diarrhea?
We rate the evidence as Grade A (Strong Evidence). This rating is based on 33 peer-reviewed studies with 10,000 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Acute Diarrhea
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.