Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Zinc carnosine

MineralZinc compound

Useful mainly for people with gastritis, gastric ulcers, or NSAID-related gut irritation.

Quick decision guide

May help most

People with gastritis, gastric ulcers, or NSAID-related gut irritation

Common dosing range

75 mg/day (delivering ~16 mg elemental zinc), usually split

When to expect effects

Weeks

Watch out for

Provides meaningful elemental zinc; chronic high intake can deplete copper

What is it

Zinc carnosine (polaprezinc) is a chelate of zinc and the dipeptide L-carnosine, used as a gastric mucosal protectant. It is an approved gastritis and ulcer drug in Japan and is sold elsewhere as a gut-health supplement.

Is it worth it for you?

Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.

Worth considering if…

You have gastritis or a gastric ulcer and want an adjunct to standard care
You take regular NSAIDs and want mucosal support
You tolerate plain zinc poorly and want a gut-localized form

Probably skip if…

You have no upper-GI symptoms
You already take adequate zinc and don’t need more
You expect it to replace H. pylori eradication or acid suppression

Evidence at a glance

gastric ulcer and gastritis

Good Evidence
Effect
Improved healing and symptom relief vs placebo/adjunct
Best fit
Adults with gastritis or gastric ulcer, including alongside H. pylori therapy
Time
Weeks

nsaid- and chemo-related gut mucosal injury

Limited Evidence
Effect
Modest protection in small studies
Best fit
People with NSAID-induced gut injury or treatment-related mucositis
Time
Weeks

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

gastric ulcer and gastritis

Disease adjunct
Good Evidence

Polaprezinc has been used clinically in Japan for gastritis and peptic ulcer, and controlled studies suggest it speeds mucosal healing and improves symptoms, including as an add-on to H. pylori eradication regimens. Evidence is reasonable but concentrated in Japanese trials and not as extensively replicated internationally.

Effect size
Improved healing and symptom relief vs placebo/adjunct
Time to effect
Weeks
Best fit
Adults with gastritis or gastric ulcer, including alongside H. pylori therapy

Bottom line: A reasonable adjunct for gastritis and gastric ulcers, best alongside standard treatment.

SourceMahmoud et al., 2022 — PMCShen et al., 2022 — PubMed

nsaid- and chemo-related gut mucosal injury

Disease adjunct
Limited Evidence

Small trials suggest zinc carnosine can reduce NSAID-induced small-intestinal injury and may lessen oral or gut mucositis during cancer therapy. These studies are limited in size and number, so the effect is suggestive rather than established.

Effect size
Modest protection in small studies
Time to effect
Weeks
Best fit
People with NSAID-induced gut injury or treatment-related mucositis

Bottom line: Preliminary support for protecting against NSAID and treatment-related mucosal damage.

SourceWatanabe et al., 2010 — PubMedNakagaki et al., 2023 — PubMed

How to take it

1. Typical dose
75 mg/day, the dose used in most clinical studies
2. Timing
Often taken before or between meals for mucosal contact, though it is also taken with meals to ease tolerability
3. With food
Either; taken away from food it may bind mucosa better, with food it is gentler
4. Split dosing
Commonly split into two doses (e.g. 37.5 mg twice daily)
5. How long to try
Trial 4–8 weeks for symptom response

What to track

Upper-abdominal pain or burning
Nausea
Heartburn frequency

Safety

Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.

Common side effects

NauseaConstipationMild taste disturbance

Who should avoid it

  • People already taking high-dose zinc
  • Those with copper deficiency

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Insufficient safety data; stay within normal zinc limits and consult a clinician before use.

Interactions

copperModerate

Sustained zinc intake can reduce copper absorption and cause deficiency

tetracycline and quinolone antibioticsModerate

Zinc can bind these antibiotics and reduce their absorption

penicillamineModerate

Zinc reduces penicillamine absorption and activity

Choosing a product

What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.

Look for…

States zinc carnosine / polaprezinc content and elemental zinc per dose
Third-party tested

Be skeptical of…

“Cures ulcers”
“Heals leaky gut”
Claims it replaces H. pylori treatment

References by claim

gastric ulcer and gastritis

Mahmoud et al., 2022 — PMC (2022) link

Shen et al., 2022 — PubMed (2022) link

nsaid- and chemo-related gut mucosal injury

Watanabe et al., 2010 — PubMed (2010) link

Nakagaki et al., 2023 — PubMed (2023) link

Track Zinc carnosine with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·Evidence current as of May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.