Zinc bisglycinate: the mineral men can’t do without, and why this form

Many men pick supplements by famous herb names and overlook a small mineral the male body can’t do without: zinc.

Crucially, the body can’t store zinc, so you need it every day, and not every form of zinc is absorbed equally well. Here is a plain-language look at why zinc bisglycinate is the form quality products choose.

The 30-second summary

• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood and to normal immune function
• Adult men need 11 mg of zinc a day
• Zinc bisglycinate delivered 43% more zinc than zinc gluconate in a study
• Men who drink alcohol regularly are at higher risk of low zinc

What is zinc?

Zinc is an essential mineral your body cannot make, so it has to come from food or supplements. You only need a little, but zinc works with more than 300 enzymes, from building protein and repairing cells to hormone function.

According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), men aged 19 and over need 11 mg of zinc a day, more than women (8 mg).

Why does zinc matter for men?

1. Male hormones

This is the number-one reason zinc is in nearly every men’s product. A classic study by Prasad and colleagues in Nutrition (1996) found three key things:

• In 40 men aged 20–80, cellular zinc levels tracked with testosterone levels
• When young men ate a low-zinc diet for 20 weeks, their testosterone dropped markedly
• When older men with mildly low zinc took zinc for 3–6 months, their testosterone rose

Put simply: not enough zinc, not enough hormone. The benefit is clearest in men who aren’t getting enough zinc.

2. Fertility

Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, and is found in high concentrations in semen.

3. Immunity

Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system, which is why people low in zinc often catch colds more often.

4. Metabolism and repair

Zinc is involved in building protein, wound healing, and healthy skin, hair and nails.

Who is at risk of low zinc?

• Regular drinkers: alcohol reduces zinc absorption and increases zinc loss in urine
• Vegetarians: zinc from plants is absorbed less well than from meat
• Older adults who eat less
• People with an unbalanced diet or one based on processed food

Why "zinc bisglycinate"?

Supplements use several forms of zinc, and the body doesn’t absorb them equally.

Zinc form	Key point
Zinc oxide	Cheap, but absorbed less than other forms
Zinc gluconate	Common, moderately absorbed
Zinc bisglycinate	Bound to two glycines; delivered 43% more zinc than gluconate

Bisglycinate is zinc bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine ("bis" means two). Think of glycine as a "bodyguard" escorting zinc through the gut so it doesn’t bind to other food compounds that block absorption.

A study by Gandia and colleagues (2007) found zinc bisglycinate delivered 43% more zinc than zinc gluconate and was well tolerated. A 2014 study confirmed that zinc oxide, the cheap form, is absorbed less than other forms.

What does that mean? The same amount of zinc, but with bisglycinate your body actually gets to use more of it.

Food sources of zinc

Oysters are the number-one source of zinc. According to the NIH, just 85 g of oysters contain 32 mg of zinc, more per serving than any other food. That is why oysters have been a classic men’s food for centuries. Other sources include beef, pork, crab, chicken, nuts and pumpkin seeds.

Nicky9 Men: zinc from two sources in one capsule

Nicky9 Men (Nicky Pimpz 9) doesn’t use cheap zinc oxide. It uses 35 mg of zinc bisglycinate, the well-absorbed form, backed by 100 mg of oyster extract, a natural zinc source, plus 8 more ingredients for men.

Per capsule	Amount
L-Arginine	100 mg
Oyster extract	100 mg
African mango seed extract	75 mg
Korean ginseng extract	50 mg
Cordyceps extract	50 mg
Zinc bisglycinate	35 mg
Garlic extract	25 mg
Black ginger extract	25 mg
Black pepper extract	20 mg
Alpha-lipoic acid	20 mg

Why men choose Nicky9 Men

• ✅ Premium zinc form: bisglycinate, not cheap zinc oxide
• ✅ Zinc from two sources: zinc bisglycinate and oyster extract
• ✅ All in one capsule: zinc, L-arginine, Korean ginseng, cordyceps and black ginger
• ✅ Pocket-sized and discreet: 2 capsules in a small box
• ✅ Thai FDA registered: No. 74-2-05260-5-0012

👉 See details and order Nicky9 Men

Cautions

• Don’t exceed 40 mg of zinc a day from all sources. High doses over a long time can cause copper deficiency
• Taking it on an empty stomach can cause nausea in some people; if so, take it after a meal
• Certain antibiotics (such as quinolones and tetracyclines) should be taken apart from zinc; ask your pharmacist
• If you have a health condition or take medication, check with a doctor or pharmacist first

Zinc FAQ

What is the difference between zinc bisglycinate and regular zinc?

It is zinc bound to two glycine molecules, which helps it pass through the gut. A study found it delivered 43% more zinc than zinc gluconate.

Can I take zinc every day?

Yes. The body can’t store zinc, so a daily intake makes sense, as long as the total stays under 40 mg a day.

Should men who drink regularly take zinc?

Alcohol lowers zinc absorption and increases zinc loss, so regular drinkers are at higher risk of low zinc. Zinc-rich foods and a supplement containing zinc are worth considering.

Is oyster extract a source of zinc?

Yes. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food, which is why men’s formulas often pair oyster extract with a zinc supplement.

The bottom line

Zinc is a small mineral with a big impact on men: it is tied to male hormones, fertility and immunity. And when you choose one, choose a form your body absorbs well, like zinc bisglycinate. For quality zinc, oyster extract and men’s herbs in one capsule, Nicky9 Men has you covered.

Read more: L-Arginine explained · Thai black ginger · Korean ginseng + cordyceps

References

1. Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
2. Prasad AS, et al. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996;12(5):344–348.
3. Gandia P, et al. A bioavailability study comparing two oral formulations containing zinc (Zn bis-glycinate vs. Zn gluconate). Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007;77(4):243–248.
4. Wegmüller R, et al. Zinc absorption by young adults from supplemental zinc citrate is comparable with that from zinc gluconate and higher than from zinc oxide. J Nutr. 2014;144(2):132–136.

Dietary supplement — not intended to prevent or treat any disease. Eat a varied, balanced diet from all 5 food groups. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.