** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. Zinc is a mineral supplement required for boosting the immune system, stunted growth and acute diarrhea in children, and slow wound healing. 2. It is not essential to take zinc in large amounts as you can easily get it in food like spinach, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, kidney beans, oysters, beef, garlic, flax seeds, peanuts, pomegranates, avocados, or simply taking a multivitamin containing Zinc. [it is best to take them 1 hour before or 2 hours after meal] 3. routine zinc supplementation is not recommended without the advice of a healthcare professional as overdosing may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste, and kidney damage, while topical use over broken skin may cause burning, tingling, itching sensation. PS. recent/newer studies have indicated that taking zinc for a long period can result in low copper levels [as zinc in excess suppress copper and iron absorption] and reduction in HDL cholesterol [good cholesterol]