The Synergy Between Vitamin D and Zinc - Why You Need Both

One of the main things that vitamin D does is help us to absorb calcium. This is how it provides us with a lot of its benefits. For example, calcium is important for the immune system’s response to infections (1) and affects wound healing (2).

One’s vitamin D blood level doesn’t directly translate into calcium absorption, which explains why some studies on vitamin D supplementation haven’t shown any benefits. What matters is how much of this vitamin D is being converted to the active version of vitamin D in the kidneys. This is what directly causes calcium absorption in the gut. From looking at studies in rats, it seems zinc is important for the conversion of vitamin D to its active version (3) (4).

This explains why some research has concluded that the main problems of zinc deficiency happen because of a lack of calcium (5) (3).

Apart from helping to convert vitamin D to the active form, zinc has even been shown to improve the effectiveness of this active form of vitamin D within bone cells (6). This means we need adequate levels of zinc for the benefits of vitamin D. The vitamin D isn’t going to give us the same benefits if we’re not absorbing the calcium because we’re low on zinc.

So zinc helps vitamin D carry out its job. This is further supported by a study that found supplementing zinc was able to reverse age related bone loss in humans (7).

It seems the synergy between vitamin D and zinc works the other way round too, such that vitamin D also helps zinc absorption.

In zinc deficient rats, the zinc content of blood, bone, kidney, liver and pancreas all increased when vitamin D was supplemented (8). Vitamin D also increased the amount of zinc that made it into the bones of chicks (9).

Studies in a test tube with human intestinal cells have shown that the active vitamin D form stimulates the uptake of zinc (10).

Sure, animal and test tube studies don’t always translate perfectly into human results but it does show if we want good zinc levels, we might need to think about getting some vitamin D too.

Want to know why vegetarian vitamin D may be better for you than vegan vitamin D? Read "Why the ThinkPharm Formula isn't vegan".

Want to know how to dose your vitamin D perfectly? Read "How to get the right vitamin D levels (Vitamin D Part 2)".

Want to know how copper could help you burn more fat? Watch our youtube video here.

To read more about the benefits of zinc and vitamin D for the immune system, click here (Zinc, Vitamin D).

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For more information about how taking the ThinkPharm Formula would improve your life check out our other articles about how it was designed.

For a vitamin supplement that doesn’t profit from your misinformation and actually tries to improve your health, get your hands on the ThinkPharm Formula. Check out the formula on our product page.

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Disclaimer: Food supplements are intended to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients, or to support specific physiological functions. The ThinkPharm Formula (or any other food supplement) is not a medicine and therefore cannot and does not claim to treat or prevent disease. All content on this website is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. None of the scientific studies quoted on this website qualify as proof or implication that ThinkPharm Health's supplements treat or prevent disease. Findings of scientific studies do not always represent reality. It is always difficult for scientific studies to reach accurate conclusions regarding nutrition and its relationship to diseases. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet and lifestyle. ThinkPharm Health is not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting on information from this website.

Health claims you can trust

All the health claims that are listed below and on our supplement package have been authorised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The EFSA reviews the evidence on different vitamins and minerals to ensure that there is enough evidence to make certain health claims.

Although the UK is no longer part of the EU it still relies on the EFSA's judgement for legally allowed claims.

Below are all the health claims we are allowed to use for the ThinkPharm Formula based on the abundance of evidence.

Over 40 EFSA authorised health claims

Hair, skin and nails

Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair: Zinc, Selenium, Biotin (B7)

Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin: Zinc, Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Iodine, Biotin (B7)

Contributes to the maintenance of normal nails: Zinc, Selenium

Contributes to normal hair and skin pigmentation: Copper

Bones, joints and muscle function

Contributes to the maintenance of normal bones: Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Zinc

Contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function: Vitamin D

Contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth: Vitamin D

Contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues (tendons, ligaments and cartilage): Copper

Contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus: Vitamin D

Contributes to normal blood calcium levels: Vitamin D

Heart health

Contributes to normal heart function: Thiamin (B1)

Metabolism

Contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones: Iodine

Contributes to normal thyroid function: Iodine, Selenium

Contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels: Chromium

Contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism: Zinc, Chromium, Biotin (B7)

Contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism: Vitamin B6

Contributes to normal amino acid synthesis: Folate (B9)

Contributes to normal cysteine synthesis: Vitamin B6

Healthy cells

Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress: Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Riboflavin (B2)

Has a role in the process of cell division: Vitamin D, Folate (B9), Vitamin B12

Contributes to normal DNA synthesis: Zinc, Folate (B9)

Contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism: Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folate (B9)

Cognitive function

Contributes to normal cognitive function: Zinc, Iodine

Contributes to normal mental performance: Pantothenic Acid (B5)

Contributes to normal synthesis of certain neurotransmitters: Pantothenic Acid (B5)

Mental Health

Contributes to normal psychological function: Thiamin (B1), Niacin (B3), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Biotin (B7), Vitamin B12

Contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system: Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Vitamin B6, Biotin (B7), Copper, Iodine

Energy levels

Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue: Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Folate (B9), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12

Contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism: Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Biotin (B7), Vitamin B12, Copper, Iodine

Contributes to normal iron transport in the body: Copper

Contributes to normal iron metabolism: Riboflavin (B2), Copper

Contributes to normal red blood cell formation: Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Vitamin B12

Contributes to normal blood formation: Folate (B9)

Immune system

Contributes to the normal function of the immune system: Vitamin D, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Folate (B9), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12

Contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes: Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Biotin (B7)

Vision (eye health)

Contributes to the maintenance of normal vision: Zinc, Riboflavin (B2)

Reproductive and hormonal health

Contributes to regulation of hormonal activity: Vitamin B6

Contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and some neurotransmitters: Pantothenic Acid (B5)

Contributes to normal fertility and reproduction: Zinc

Contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy: Folate (B9)

Contributes to the maintenance of normal serum testosterone concentrations: Zinc

Contributes to normal spermatogenesis: Selenium

Digestive health