This form of zinc is well-tolerated and well-absorbed. Zinc is a trace mineral that is involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body, and is an essential metal cofactor for one kind of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a major class of antioxidant enzymes.
Zinc plays a key role in maintaining vision, and it is present in high concentrations in the eye. Zinc deficiency can alter vision, and severe deficiency can cause changes in the retina (the back of the eye where an image is focused).
Zinc might also have effects against viruses. It appears to lessen symptoms of the rhinovirus (common cold), but researchers can't yet explain exactly how this works. In addition, there is some evidence that zinc has some antiviral activity against the herpes virus.
Low zinc levels can be associated with male infertility, sickle cell disease, HIV, major depression, and type 2 diabetes, and can be fought by taking a zinc supplement.