What is Natural Factors Zinc Bisglycinate and what is it used for?
Natural Factors Zinc Bisglycinate is a Canadian vegetarian supplement providing zinc in the bisglycinate chelate form -- zinc bound to two glycine amino acid molecules for enhanced absorption and gastrointestinal tolerability. Each capsule provides 25 mg of elemental zinc. Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, supporting immune function, wound healing, connective tissue formation, energy metabolism, and the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, nails, and bones. It is used to prevent and correct zinc deficiency and to provide daily foundational immune and metabolic support.
What are the ingredients in Natural Factors Zinc Bisglycinate and why does the chelate form matter?
Each vegetarian capsule provides zinc 25 mg as zinc bisglycinate. In bisglycinate chelation, a single zinc ion is bound to two glycine molecules, forming a stable, electrically neutral complex. This structure allows the complex to be absorbed intact via amino acid transport pathways in the small intestinal lining -- bypassing the competitive absorption pathway used by inorganic zinc salts (zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, zinc gluconate), where zinc must compete with other minerals (calcium, iron, copper) for transporter sites and requires sufficient stomach acid for ionization. The result is superior absorption efficiency and significantly lower risk of the nausea, stomach cramping, and vomiting that frequently occur with inorganic zinc forms, particularly on an empty stomach. Non-medicinal ingredients: vegetarian capsule (carbohydrate gum, purified water), rice flour, vegetable-grade magnesium stearate, silica, stearic acid.
Who should take Natural Factors Zinc Bisglycinate 25mg and how should it be used?
Zinc Bisglycinate is appropriate for adults who need to correct zinc deficiency or maintain adequate zinc status, including: people with diets low in zinc-rich foods (red meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds); vegetarians and vegans, as plant-based zinc sources contain phytates that inhibit absorption, requiring higher dietary intake to achieve equivalent zinc status; older adults (zinc absorption declines with age); individuals with digestive conditions that impair mineral absorption (Crohn's disease, IBD, celiac); people who previously experienced stomach upset with zinc sulfate or other inorganic zinc supplements; and those seeking immune, skin, or wound healing support. Recommended dose: 1 capsule daily with food. Taking with food further reduces the small risk of gastric irritation and does not significantly reduce bisglycinate absorption (unlike some minerals where food substantially lowers absorption). Do not exceed the recommended dose long-term without medical supervision, as excess zinc (over 40 mg/day) can interfere with copper absorption. Keep several hours apart from iron supplements.
What distinguishes Natural Factors Zinc Bisglycinate from other zinc supplements?
The most important distinction is the zinc form. Bisglycinate is an amino acid chelate with demonstrated superior bioavailability over inorganic zinc forms: comparative studies show zinc bisglycinate achieves higher serum zinc levels per mg of elemental zinc than zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, or zinc gluconate, and with substantially lower rates of gastrointestinal side effects that lead many people to discontinue zinc supplementation. At 25 mg elemental zinc per capsule, the dose provides a meaningful therapeutic amount without exceeding the tolerable upper intake level of 40 mg/day -- making once-daily dosing sufficient for most adults without risk of copper depletion. The vegetarian capsule with a minimal excipient list (rice flour, magnesium stearate, silica, stearic acid) contains no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or allergen-containing ingredients. Natural Factors' ISURA third-party testing program screens each batch for 800+ contaminants -- a documented verification scope that significantly exceeds standard GMP testing requirements. The brand has been Canadian-owned since 1948 with in-house manufacturing on over 1,000 acres of certified organic farmland in BC, TGA certification, and B Corp status.
What is Natural Factors, and is it a trustworthy supplement brand?
Natural Factors is a Canadian-owned supplement manufacturer founded in 1948 and headquartered in Coquitlam, British Columbia. One of North America's largest supplement makers, it operates over 1,000 acres of certified organic farmland in BC's Okanagan Valley and manufactures in-house at Health Canada-licensed, FDA-inspected facilities. Every product is third-party tested through ISURA for over 800 contaminants including pesticides and heavy metals. Natural Factors is also B Corp certified, meeting rigorous environmental and social standards.
What is Natural Factors and is it a reliable Canadian supplement brand?
Natural Factors is one of Canada's largest supplement manufacturers, founded in 1955 by Jack and Rona Katz in British Columbia and still 100% Canadian family-owned. The company controls every production stage from raw material sourcing to finished product. Its facility holds TGA certification from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, one of the world's strictest supplement manufacturing standards. All products are ISURA certified — independently tested for 800+ contaminants including pesticides and heavy metals — and Natural Factors conducts four rounds of product testing, double the industry average of two.
What sets Natural Factors apart from other supplement brands?
Natural Factors' most distinctive quality is vertical integration: the company grows its own raw herbs on 1,000+ acres of certified organic farmland in BC's Okanagan Valley, then processes and manufactures in-house. Most supplement brands source raw materials from external suppliers with no direct agricultural control. Natural Factors also uses ISURA third-party testing, a Canadian standard that screens for over 800 contaminants, well beyond typical heavy-metal panels. B Corp certification further reflects a documented commitment to environmental and social accountability, not just a marketing claim.
What makes Natural Factors different from other Canadian supplement manufacturers?
Natural Factors holds TGA certification from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration — one of the world's most rigorous pharmaceutical manufacturing standards, rarely earned by Canadian brands and far exceeding most North American certification requirements. Its ISURA testing program screens every product for 800+ contaminants, and it conducts four rounds of quality testing per product versus the industry standard of two. The company also operates its own farm in the Okanagan Valley for select botanical ingredients — a level of vertical integration uncommon among supplement manufacturers — and has been family-owned for over 70 years.
The information provided above is for reference purposes only and has not been reviewed or approved by Health Canada. It does not constitute medical advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.