Periodically, we get an inquiry from a customer asking why VisIVite uses Zinc oxide rather than some other form in its AREDS 2 eye vitamins. And usually, the question is asked because they were told by a dietition, nutritionist or salesperson in a supplement store that other forms of zinc are better and more completely absorbed.
The reasons are not based on science, but instead successful marketing to dietitians. The alleged differences among different forms of zinc is not based on fact.The authority on zinc salts is the United States FDA Office of Dietary Supplements, which is administered by the National Institutes of Health, and they have concluded: "Research has not determined whether differences exist among forms of zinc in absorption, bioavailability, or tolerability." This information may be found on their zinc fact sheet, which is found below.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
Finally, zinc oxide was the form of zinc used by the National Eye Institutes's Age Related Eye Disease Studies 1 & 2 which conclusively showed benefit for people with macular degeneration. -- Paul Krawitz, M.D., President and C.E.O. VisiVite Eye Vitamins
