NutriStack
Omeprazole and Zinc, a caution.
Long-term omeprazole therapy reduces zinc absorption and lowers body zinc stores. In one controlled study, plasma zinc rose 126% with supplementation in healthy controls but only 37% in long-term PPI users, and baseline zinc was about 28% lower in PPI users. Reduced zinc can impair immunity, taste, and wound healing.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
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From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Omeprazole and Zinc
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Long-term omeprazole therapy reduces zinc absorption and lowers body zinc stores. In one controlled study, plasma zinc rose 126% with supplementation in healthy controls but only 37% in long-term PPI users, and baseline zinc was about 28% lower in PPI users. Reduced zinc can impair immunity, taste, and wound healing.
Mechanism. Zinc absorption depends in part on gastric acid to solubilize zinc salts and on intestinal ZIP4 transporters that work best in an acidic luminal environment. Omeprazole's irreversible inhibition of the proton pump blunts both.
Recommendation. If you take omeprazole long-term, consider 15-30 mg/day of zinc, ideally as zinc picolinate or bisglycinate, which are less acid-dependent. Take on an empty stomach if tolerated, with food if it causes nausea.
Sources (2)
- Farrell CP, Morgan M, Rudolph DS, et al. Proton Pump Inhibitors Interfere With Zinc Absorption and Zinc Body Stores. Gastroenterol Res. 2011;4(6):243-51. PMID 27957023
- Freedberg DE, Kim LS, Yang YX. The Risks and Benefits of Long-term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors: Expert Review and Best Practice Advice From the American Gastroenterological Association. Gastroenterology. 2017;152(4):706-15. PMID 28257716
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Omeprazole and Zinc are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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