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Zinc and Your Genes: What SLC30A3 Means for Your Zinc Status

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a central role in immune function, metabolism, wound healing, cell growth, and maintaining taste and smell. Because the body cannot make zinc, you must get it from food or supplements. The SLC30A3 gene makes a protein that helps move zinc inside cells, especially in the brain, and variations in this gene can affect how well zinc is transported and used at the cellular level.

Why this matters

  • Efficient zinc transport helps keep the right amount of zinc available for enzymes and cellular processes.
  • Changes in how zinc is moved inside cells can increase the risk of lower zinc levels, even if dietary zinc intake seems adequate.
  • Knowing your SLC30A3 genotype can help guide food choices, testing, and conversations with your healthcare provider about supplements if needed.

How to support healthy zinc status

  • Dietary focus: Include zinc-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood (oysters are especially high), nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Animal sources of zinc are generally absorbed better than plant sources.
  • Balanced meals: Pair plant-based zinc sources with vitamin C rich foods or leavened whole-grain products to help absorption and reduce the effect of phytates found in some grains and legumes.
  • Supplement caution: Speak with your healthcare provider before starting supplements. Excessive zinc can cause nausea, interfere with copper absorption, and disrupt immune function.
  • Lifestyle: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management support overall nutrient status and immune health.
  • When to test: If you have symptoms associated with zinc insufficiency such as slow wound healing, frequent infections, changes in taste or smell, or hair loss, discuss testing with your clinician. Blood tests and clinical assessment can clarify your zinc status.

Recommended practical steps

  • Focus on a food-first approach emphasizing lean meats, seafood, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
  • If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, include a variety of zinc-rich plant foods and consider strategies to reduce phytates, such as soaking, sprouting, or fermenting grains and legumes.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider before beginning any zinc supplement. If a supplement is recommended, your clinician can help determine a safe dose and duration and monitor for interactions with other nutrients.
  • Keep routine health habits: hydrate, sleep well, manage stress, and maintain physical activity to support nutrient absorption and immune resilience.

Genetic interpretation for SLC30A3 variant rs11126936

2 effect alleles — GG

You have the GG genotype at rs11126936, which means you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with reduced zinc transport efficiency and a higher likelihood of lower cellular zinc availability. The SLC30A3 protein in your cells may move zinc less effectively, particularly in the brain, where zinc balance is important for neuronal function.

This does not guarantee a clinical zinc deficiency, but it suggests increased sensitivity to low zinc intake. Be mindful of zinc-rich foods and consider discussing zinc testing with your healthcare provider if you notice symptoms such as frequent infections, delayed wound healing, changes in taste or smell, or unexplained hair thinning. If a supplement is recommended, your clinician can advise on type and dose and monitor for side effects.

1 effect allele — GT

You have the GT genotype at rs11126936, which means you carry one copy of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with moderately reduced zinc transport efficiency compared with the typical genotype. Your cells may move zinc slightly less efficiently, which could increase the risk of lower zinc levels in certain circumstances.

Focus on zinc-containing foods and consider diet strategies to improve absorption. Animal-based zinc sources are absorbed better than plant sources. If you are concerned about your zinc status or have symptoms suggestive of low zinc, speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether testing or a short course of supplementation is appropriate.

0 effect alleles — TT

You have the TT genotype at rs11126936, which means you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This genotype is associated with typical zinc transport efficiency through the SLC30A3 protein. Your genetic variant suggests that zinc transport within cells functions normally.

Although your genetic predisposition supports normal cellular zinc handling, zinc is still an essential nutrient that must be supplied by diet. Continue to include zinc-rich foods in your meals to support immune function, metabolism, wound healing, and overall health. Seek clinician guidance if you develop symptoms that could indicate low zinc.

Diet and supplement suggestions tailored to risk

  • Higher risk (GG): Prioritize animal sources such as beef, poultry, pork, and seafood. Add nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds and cashews as snacks. Consider discussing zinc testing with your clinician, and only supplement under medical supervision if testing suggests need.
  • Moderate risk (GT): Eat a varied diet with both animal and plant zinc sources. If vegetarian or vegan, focus on legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains with preparation methods that reduce phytates. Testing can help guide supplement decisions.
  • Standard risk (TT): Maintain a balanced diet with regular zinc-containing foods. Routine testing is not required unless symptoms arise or other risk factors are present.

When to talk to your healthcare provider

  • If you experience frequent infections, slow wound healing, loss of taste or smell, hair thinning, or other concerns that may relate to zinc.
  • If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, or have a chronic medical condition that affects nutrient absorption.
  • If you are considering a zinc supplement. Your provider can recommend an appropriate dose and monitor for potential interactions and side effects.

Important notice

PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic predispositions and nutrient interactions. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for clinical evaluation, testing, and personalized medical recommendations before starting or stopping supplements or making significant changes to your diet or treatment plan.