Home Ingredients Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc)
Gut Health

Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc)

Evidence Level
Strong
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

Zinc-L-carnosine, known in medicine by its drug name polaprezinc, is a 1:1 chelate that binds zinc to the dipeptide L-carnosine. The chelate clings to the mucous lining of the stomach and intestine, releasing zinc and carnosine right where they act rather than being absorbed and carried away. In Japan it has been a prescription medicine for stomach ulcers since 1994 (sold as Promac). As a supplement it is used more broadly for gut-lining ("leaky gut") support, heartburn, and protecting the gut against irritants such as NSAIDs. The strongest evidence is for its original role in healing gastric ulcers and supporting H. pylori care; its wider gut-health uses rest on smaller studies.

Studied Dose 75-150 mg/day (often 75 mg twice daily); the Japanese anti-ulcer drug dose is 150 mg/day.
Active Compound Zinc-L-carnosine (polaprezinc), a 1:1 chelate of zinc and L-carnosine.

Benefits

Stomach ulcer healing and mucosal protection

As the medicine polaprezinc, zinc-L-carnosine has been used in Japan since the 1990s to help heal gastric ulcers. It thickens the protective mucus layer, supports repair of the stomach lining, and reduces acid-related damage.

Supported by Trial 1

Gut-lining and leaky-gut support

By adhering to the gut wall and delivering zinc locally, zinc-L-carnosine helps strengthen the intestinal barrier. In a small human study it prevented the roughly three-fold rise in gut permeability caused by an NSAID.

Supported by Trial 2

Support alongside H. pylori treatment

Added to standard antibiotic therapy for Helicobacter pylori, zinc-L-carnosine improved treatment-related outcomes in a randomized trial, likely by protecting the stomach lining and easing inflammation. It is an adjunct, not a standalone treatment.

Supported by Trial 3

Protection against NSAID-related gut injury

In a small controlled study, zinc-L-carnosine reduced small-bowel damage from low-dose aspirin, fitting its role as a protector of the gut lining against common irritants.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Sticks to the gut lining for local action

The chelate has a high affinity for the mucous glycoproteins that coat the stomach and intestine, so it adheres to damaged tissue and releases zinc and carnosine locally instead of being quickly absorbed and cleared.

2

Zinc supports tissue repair

Locally released zinc promotes proliferation of the cells that line the gut and supports assembly of tight-junction proteins, helping rebuild a healthy barrier.

3

Carnosine calms oxidative and inflammatory stress

L-carnosine scavenges reactive oxygen species, binds metal ions that catalyze damage, and dampens NF-kB inflammatory signaling, complementing zinc's structural repair.

Clinical trials

1
Polaprezinc for Gastric Ulcer — Multicenter RCT
PubMed

Multicenter, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled trial of polaprezinc (zinc-L-carnosine) for gastric ulcer healing (Shen W, Zhao X, Han Z, Miao Y, Huang H, Zhang Z, Dong L, Nie Y, Li H, Ni R 2022, Med Eng Phys 110:103860, PMID 35999163).

Adults with gastric ulcer, across multiple centers.

Polaprezinc supported gastric ulcer healing and was comparable (non-inferior) to the active comparator drug, reflecting its established role as an anti-ulcer medicine. This gastric indication is the compound's strongest evidence.

2
Zinc-Carnosine and Gut Integrity — Human & Lab Study
PubMed

Combined human and experimental study of oral zinc carnosine on gut integrity and repair (Mahmood A, FitzGerald AJ, Marchbank T, Ntatsaki E, Murray D, Ghosh S, Playford RJ 2007, Gut 56(2):168-175, PMID 16777920).

Healthy volunteers (small human component) plus cell and animal models.

Oral zinc carnosine stabilized the gut lining and prevented the roughly three-fold increase in intestinal permeability caused by the NSAID indomethacin, and stimulated gut repair in laboratory models. Small human component; this is the foundation for the leaky-gut supplement use.

3
Polaprezinc Added to H. pylori Therapy — RCT
PubMed

Prospective, multicenter, randomised trial of polaprezinc added to clarithromycin-based triple therapy for H. pylori-associated gastritis (Tan B, Luo HQ, Xu H, Lv NH, Shi RH, Luo HS, et al. 2017, PLoS One 12(4):e0175625, PMID 28407007).

Adults with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis.

Adding polaprezinc to standard antibiotic therapy improved eradication-related outcomes versus therapy alone, supporting its use as an adjunct to, not a replacement for, H. pylori treatment.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally very well tolerated, with a long safety record as an approved medicine in Japan.
Provides zinc (about 16 mg per 75 mg dose); watch total daily zinc from all sources (the adult upper limit is 40 mg/day).
Long-term high zinc intake can lower copper; consider copper status with extended use.
Mild digestive upset is possible; take with food.

Important Drug interactions

Antibiotics (tetracyclines, quinolones): the zinc component can reduce their absorption; separate by about 2 hours.
Penicillamine: zinc reduces its absorption; avoid combining.
Iron supplements: zinc and iron compete for absorption; take them at different times.

Standardized & branded forms of Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc)

Trademarked Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc) extracts with their own clinical trials and dedicated profiles. Most Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc) research is run on one of these standardized forms:

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PepZinGI® (Zinc-Carnosine for Gut Lining)
PepZinGI® (NutriScience Innovations) is a unique chelate of zinc and L-carnosine in a 1:1…

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Frequently asked questions about Zinc-L-Carnosine (Polaprezinc)

What is Zinc-L-Carnosine?

Zinc-L-carnosine, known in medicine by its drug name polaprezinc, is a 1:1 chelate that binds zinc to the dipeptide L-carnosine. The chelate clings to the mucous lining of the stomach and intestine, releasing zinc and carnosine right where they act rather than being absorbed and carried away.

What is Zinc-L-Carnosine used for?

Zinc-L-Carnosine is researched primarily for Gut Health. As the medicine polaprezinc, zinc-L-carnosine has been used in Japan since the 1990s to help heal gastric ulcers. It thickens the protective mucus layer, supports repair of the stomach lining, and reduces acid-related damage.

What is the recommended dosage of Zinc-L-Carnosine?

The clinically studied dose is 75-150 mg/day (often 75 mg twice daily); the Japanese anti-ulcer drug dose is 150 mg/day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Zinc-L-Carnosine safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Zinc-L-Carnosine is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally very well tolerated, with a long safety record as an approved medicine in Japan. Provides zinc (about 16 mg per 75 mg dose); watch total daily zinc from all sources (the adult upper limit is 40 mg/day). It may also interact with some medications. Zinc-L-Carnosine is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Zinc-L-Carnosine interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Antibiotics (tetracyclines, quinolones): the zinc component can reduce their absorption; separate by about 2 hours. Penicillamine: zinc reduces its absorption; avoid combining. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Zinc-L-Carnosine?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Zinc-L-Carnosine as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 3 clinical trials and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Shen W, Zhao X, Han Z, Miao Y, Huang H, Zhang Z, Dong L, Nie Y, Li H, Ni R. Efficacy and safety of polaprezinc in the treatment of gastric ulcer: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled clinical trial. Medical Engineering & Physics. 2022;110:103860. doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2022.103860.PubMedUsed to support: Multicenter randomized controlled trial for the compound's strongest indication: polaprezinc (zinc-L-carnosine) supported gastric ulcer healing and was non-inferior to the comparator drug. Reflects the established Japanese anti-ulcer medicine, not the broader supplement gut-health marketing.
  2. Mahmood A, FitzGerald AJ, Marchbank T, Ntatsaki E, Murray D, Ghosh S, Playford RJ. Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes. Gut. 2007;56(2):168-175. doi:10.1136/gut.2006.099929.PubMedUsed to support: The key paper behind the gut-lining (leaky gut) use: oral zinc carnosine stabilized gut mucosa and prevented the roughly three-fold rise in intestinal permeability caused by indomethacin, and stimulated repair in the lab. Honest limit: small human component; the broader gut-barrier use rests on smaller studies than the anti-ulcer drug data.
  3. Tan B, Luo HQ, Xu H, Lv NH, Shi RH, Luo HS, Li JS, Ren JL, Zou YY, Li YQ, Ji F, et al. Polaprezinc combined with clarithromycin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis: A prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0175625. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175625.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized multicenter trial supporting polaprezinc as an adjunct to H. pylori eradication therapy, improving eradication-related outcomes when added to clarithromycin-based triple therapy. An established adjunctive clinical use of the compound.
  4. Watari I, Oka S, Tanaka S, Aoyama T, Imagawa H, Shishido T, Yoshida S, Chayama K. Effectiveness of polaprezinc for low-dose aspirin-induced small-bowel mucosal injuries as evaluated by capsule endoscopy: a pilot randomized controlled study. BMC Gastroenterology. 2013;13:108. doi:10.1186/1471-230X-13-108.PubMedUsed to support: Pilot RCT supporting zinc-L-carnosine/polaprezinc for protecting the small-bowel mucosa against NSAID/low-dose-aspirin injury. Honest limit: small pilot; consistent with the gut-protective mechanism but not definitive, and chronic high-dose zinc risks copper deficiency.