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Our Members Asked:
What are the health benefits of zinc carnosine, also called polaprezinc, and is it safe?
Answer:
Zinc carnosine, also called polaprezinc, is a complex of the essential mineral zinc and carnosine, which is commonly found in meat and fish and is a water-soluble peptide made of two, linked amino acids (its chemical name is beta-alanyl histidine). Zinc carnosine is promoted for the treatment or prevention of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infection (which can cause ulcers), aspirin-induced small-bowel injury, taste disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and oral mucositis caused by cancer treatment. Although commonly prescribed in Japan for some of these conditions, there is very limited evidence supporting its use for any of these applications.
Sign in for details about the outcomes of scientific and clinical studies done with zinc carnosine, dosage of zinc carnosine, potential side effects of using zinc carnosine (including possible copper deficiency), and how zinc carnosine compares to other sources of zinc in supplements.
For information about other supplements commonly used to eradicate H. pylori and treat stomach ulcers, and to find out if there are any supplements that might worsen symptoms, see our answer to the questions, "Do supplements help treat peptic ulcer disease? Should any be avoided?"
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13 Comments
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Related CL Answers (5)
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TexasGal
June 26, 2025Years ago, my sister in law was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. She began taking zinc carnosine to prevent chemo-induced mucositis that often interrupts treatment. She had chemo, radiation, and surgery. She never developed mucositis severe enough to interfere with treatment.
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Tom21450
December 17, 2024I need recommendation for the top Zinc Copper combo brands? Now has one 15 mg Zinc 1 mg Copper
ConsumerLab.com
December 23, 2024Several supplements in our Zinc Review include copper in their formulations -- see https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/zinc-supplements-lozenges-review/zinc/#results. However, 15 mg of zinc should not interfere too much with copper absorption.
Squirrelgirl
July 20, 2025In your remarks about a study you mentioned, it showed that taking only carnosine alone without zinc, had the same affect as taking L-carnosine? Am I understanding this correctly?
ConsumerLab.com
July 25, 2025As described in our article, one study evaluating zinc carnosine for pressure ulcers found that taking zinc carnosine (polaprezinc) had similar benefits as taking the same dose of L-carnosine without zinc.
Squirrelgirl
July 26, 2025Thanks for clarifying this.
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Gayle15538
September 03, 2023I have found relief from acid reflux using zinc carnosine.
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George Lian Huat15533
October 13, 2022I have been taking zinc carnosine the past three years for my acid
reflux problem and found great improvements. Hardly needs to take PPI medication nowadays. By the way, can anyone please advise what foods contain copper to take to balance zinc deficiency. I prefer not to take copper supplements.
ConsumerLab.com
October 23, 2022Please see the ConsumerTips section of our Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Review for food sources of copper https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/zinc-supplements-lozenges-review/zinc/#copper-table.
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Alison15525
February 03, 2021You state that too much zinc can lead to copper deficiency. Is the reverse true? Can too much copper lead to zinc deficiency?
ConsumerLab.com
February 03, 2021That would be unlikely since the issue is competition for absorption and much smaller amounts of copper are typically taken as a supplement than zinc.
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Carla15522
January 28, 2021Has anyone found Zinc Carnosine to exacerbate rather than improve acid reflux?
John15523
June 04, 2021I am finding this to be true although I have no idea why. I cannot find any evidence online that it could be a side effect other than Amazon reviews, which I take with a grain of salt.
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