NutriStack
Prednisone and Zinc, a synergy.
Prednisone causes zinc depletion through increased urinary zinc excretion, mediated by HPA axis disruption. Chronic corticosteroid use at doses above 2.5 mg/day can significantly lower plasma zinc levels. Zinc deficiency impairs immune function (paradoxically counteracting one purpose of immune-modulating corticosteroid therapy), delays wound healing, and contributes to taste disturbances and anorexia already common with corticosteroid use.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
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
- Prednisone and Zinc
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 4 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Prednisone causes zinc depletion through increased urinary zinc excretion, mediated by HPA axis disruption. Chronic corticosteroid use at doses above 2.5 mg/day can significantly lower plasma zinc levels. Zinc deficiency impairs immune function (paradoxically counteracting one purpose of immune-modulating corticosteroid therapy), delays wound healing, and contributes to taste disturbances and anorexia already common with corticosteroid use.
Mechanism. Prednisone disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates zinc homeostasis. Corticosteroids increase renal zinc excretion through altered metallothionein expression and tubular reabsorption. The resulting zinc depletion impairs T-cell function, natural killer cell activity, and neutrophil chemotaxis, and reduces activity of zinc-dependent enzymes involved in wound repair.
Recommendation. Consider zinc supplementation (15-30 mg/day) during chronic prednisone therapy, especially at doses >5 mg/day. Monitor zinc levels periodically. Pair zinc with copper supplementation (1-2 mg/day) to prevent copper depletion from chronic zinc use. Zinc supplementation may help offset immune suppression and support wound healing.
Sources (4)
- Peretz A et al. Effects of chronic and acute corticosteroid therapy on zinc and copper status in rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis. 1989;3(2):103-108. PMID 2535323
- Hsu TJ, Hsieh RH, Huang CH et al.. Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Nutrients. 2024. PMID 39683510
- Ali AA, Naqvi SK, Hasnain Z et al.. Zinc supplementation for acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Journal of Global Health. 2024. PMID 39641338
- Oh C, Keats EC, Bhutta ZA. Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal, Birth, Child Health and Development Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Nutrients. 2020. PMID 32075071
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Prednisone and Zinc are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.