Difference Between Zinc Picolinate and Zinc Chelate

The key difference between zinc picolinate and zinc chelate is that zinc picolinate is a type of chelated zinc supplement, whereas zinc chelate is a type of zinc supplement where zinc metal is hidden inside a chelating agent.

Zinc is a d-block metal that we need for many functions in our body. It helps in functions ranging from neural activity to immune system efficiency to sexual maturation. However, some people show some difficulties in absorbing the zinc metal, so they need a chelated or a hidden form of zinc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Zinc Picolinate
3. What is Zinc Chelate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Zinc Picolinate vs Zinc Chelate in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Zinc Picolinate?

Zinc picolinate is an inorganic compound and the zinc salt of picolinic acid. It is a small molecule having the chemical formula C12H8N2O4Zn. Its IUPAC name is zinc;pyridine-2-carboxylate. This molecule has one zinc cation (Zn2+) associated with two picolinate ions (conjugated base of picolinic acid).

Moreover, the molar mass of this compound is 309.58 g/mol. It is a dietary supplement we use to treat or prevent zinc deficiency. The administration of this supplement increases the absorption of zinc.

Zinc picolinate is mainly available as a supplement that can be consumed by vegans and vegetarians because this product features important mineral components that have a role in many biochemical processes that are taking place in our body. The normal administration is taking one capsule per day orally.

What is Zinc Chelate?

Zinc chelate or chelated zinc is a form of zinc that is bound to a variety of chemical compounds. This form of zinc metal is very important when there is difficulty in absorbing the zinc metal by a human body. Therefore, some zinc supplements that are commercially available contain zinc in this chelated form. However, the absorption of the metal will depend on the chemical compound to which the zinc metal is bound.

According to some research studies, zinc metal is the second most abundant trace chemical element in our body, and we need this metal for normal growth and our health. E.g. an adult should take about 11 milligrams of zinc daily. Deficiency of zinc can cause psychological disorders, anorexia, and movement disorders as well.

Chelation is very important in zinc absorption because it can increase absorption. Typically, during the zinc chelate formation, zinc metal is held inside the core of an organic molecule. This organic molecule is named the chelating agent. The complex of the zinc-chelating agent is a stable, water-soluble product that is easily absorbed by our body.

What is the Difference Between Zinc Picolinate and Zinc Chelate?

Zin picolinate and zinc chelate are two types of zinc supplements. Zinc picolinate is an inorganic compound and the zinc salt of picolinic acid while Zinc chelate or chelated zinc is a form of zinc that is bound to a variety of chemical compounds. The key difference between zinc picolinate and zinc chelate is that zinc picolinate is a type of chelated zinc supplement, whereas zinc chelate is a type of zinc supplement where zinc metal is hidden inside a chelating agent.

Below is a summary of the difference between zinc picolinate and zinc chelate in tabular form.

Summary – Zinc Picolinate vs Zinc Chelate

Zinc picolinate and zinc chelate are zinc supplements that come in two different forms. Zinc is the second most abundant trace chemical element in the human body. But some people have difficulties in absorbing zinc metal as it is in the zinc picolinate supplement. For this, we need a chelated form of zinc. The key difference between zinc picolinate and zinc chelate is that zinc picolinate is a type of chelated zinc supplement, whereas zinc chelate is a type of zinc supplement where zinc metal is hidden inside a chelating agent.

Reference:

1. “What Is Zinc Chelate?” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “IMG_8630” By Heidi Uusitorppa (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr

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