Zinc bisglycinate — the only ingredient with a UK-authorised testosterone claim

The one ingredient where we can make a direct testosterone claim

Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for over 300 enzymatic processes in the human body. It is also — at the time of writing in 2026 — the only ingredient in The Barakah Pill formulation for which the GB Nutrition & Health Claims (NHC) Register has authorised a direct testosterone claim:

> "Zinc contributes to normal testosterone levels in the blood."

The exact wording matters. The claim is authorised in the GB NHC Register (gov.uk reference: claim 252, authorised in EU Regulation 432/2012, retained in UK law post-Brexit). To use the claim on a product label, the product must:

We use the claim. We use the authorised wording. That's the only effect claim on the entire product.

Why we use bisglycinate chelate

Zinc supplements come in many forms. The most common:

- Zinc oxide — cheapest, lowest bioavailability (~20-30% absorption) - Zinc sulphate — common in older formulations, moderate bioavailability, often causes GI upset - Zinc gluconate — better tolerated than sulphate, moderate-to-good bioavailability - Zinc citrate — good bioavailability, generally well-tolerated - Zinc bisglycinate (chelate) — highest documented bioavailability, best tolerated at higher doses - Zinc picolinate — high bioavailability, but contested data on whether it actually delivers more zinc to tissues

We use a fully-reacted bisglycinate chelate zinc bisglycinate — a chelated form where the zinc atom is bonded to two glycine amino acids. This:

- Improves intestinal absorption (~40-45% vs ~20-30% for oxide) - Reduces gastrointestinal irritation - Is well-supported in published research (Gandia et al. 2007, DiSilvestro et al. 2015) - a fully-reacted bisglycinate chelate is the most-cited chelate form in nutritional research

The "TRAACS" suffix refers to The Real Amino Acid Chelate System — Albion's proprietary chelation process that produces a verified fully-reacted glycinate, not a mechanical blend of glycine + zinc oxide masquerading as a chelate (a common adulteration in lower-grade chelate products).

Our dose: at the level used in published research

The Barakah Pill contains the level used in the published research of elemental zinc as a fully-reacted bisglycinate chelate bisglycinate per daily serving. This is:

- 150% of the EU Nutrient Reference Value (NRV is 10 mg) - Above the 15% NRV threshold required to make the authorised testosterone claim - Below the EFSA-set Tolerable Upper Intake Level of 25 mg/day for adults, leaving headroom for dietary zinc from food

15 mg is the standard dose at which the published research supports zinc's role in normal testosterone levels. Doses much higher than this (50+ mg) can interfere with copper absorption, so we don't go higher.

The published research

The most-cited human clinical work on zinc and testosterone:

- Prasad et al. 1996 (Nutrition) — zinc deficiency and testosterone in older men, foundational study - Brilla & Conte 2000 (Journal of Exercise Physiology) — zinc-magnesium supplementation in athletes - Netter et al. 1981 (Archives of Andrology) — zinc supplementation in adult men with marginally low zinc - Hunt et al. 1992 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) — dose-response in adult men

The body of research is what supports the GB NHC Register authorisation. We are not adding to the research literature; we are citing the authorised claim that already exists.

Why we pair it with copper... but don't (and why)

There is a school of supplement formulation that pairs zinc with a small dose of copper (typically 1-2 mg) to maintain the body's copper-zinc balance. The argument is that long-term high-dose zinc supplementation (above 30 mg/day for months) can deplete copper stores, leading to anaemia.

At the level we use of zinc, this concern is minimal. Dietary copper intake from a normal varied UK diet (whole grains, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, organ meats) is typically adequate. Adding copper to a daily supplement at sub-clinical-deficiency dose is more "covering the brand" than meeting a real need.

We choose not to add copper. The decision is based on the dose — at the level used in the published research zinc per day, no supplementary copper is required for the average adult on a normal diet.

If you take The Barakah Pill alongside other zinc-supplementing formulations (zinc-containing multivitamins, for example), the cumulative dose may move toward the upper limit. In that case, a brief copper supplement at the level used in the published research/day is rational.

The halal status

Zinc bisglycinate is mineral + amino acid. The mineral is mineral; the amino acid (glycine) is produced through fermentation from plant or microbial sources in modern supplement supply chains. Albion provides a halal declaration covering the source amino acid.

Our HFA own-brand audit covers zinc. Capsule shell HPMC.

A practical note

Take zinc with food, not on an empty stomach — even chelated forms can cause mild GI discomfort if taken fasted. The Barakah Pill is designed as a morning-with-food ritual, which is appropriate for the zinc component.

Don't take more than the daily dose listed on the label. Combined with dietary zinc from food, the 15 mg in The Barakah Pill is intended to put you comfortably in the optimal range — not push toward the upper limit.

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Sources: GB Nutrition & Health Claims Register (gov.uk); EU Regulation 432/2012; Prasad et al. 1996 (Nutrition 12:344); Brilla & Conte 2000 (J Exerc Physiol 3:26); EFSA NDA Panel on Zinc Tolerable Upper Intake Level; a fully-reacted bisglycinate chelate documentation (balchem.com).