Quick question - is there any reason why Huel use Zinc oxide rather than zinc picolinate in their micronutrient blend? Before starting Huel, I took daily zinc picolinate supplements. From my research, it seems that zinc picolinate is superior to zinc oxide. I understand that zinc picolinate is also more expensive than zinc oxide. Is that why they use zinc oxide over zinc picolinate?
Where do you see that Huel uses Zinc Oxide?
It’s on the ingredients list on the back of my huel bars (Choc & Choc orange flavours), huel hot & Savoury (tomato & herb flavour), and huel ready-to-drink (berry flavour)
So it doesn’t apply to Huel powder then.
No, it doesn’t appear on the ingredients list on my Huel white or black powders
Zinc picolinate isn’t permitted for use in the US.
While the bioavailability of zinc oxide might be lower, the amount included in Huel products (where used) is sufficient to meet the body’s zinc needs.
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Ah right ok, thanks for getting back to me so quickly! 
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But it’s still not good for the body, in the long run, to be pumped with supplements that the body cannot absorb. You might end up with different health-related issues, overload of nutrients and malnutrition. I have Pyroluria, which means I need bioavailable supplements. Zinc oxide is a big no-no. It will just “float around” in the body, not being absorbed. Test results coming back, showing a huge amount of zinc. Same with copper, when taken non-bio available, can create copper toxicity.
I have been on these types of supplements for many, many years and ended up with a body that in the end cannot absorb nutrients. Test results coming back showing too much of everything, when the reality is that the body can’t absorb it.
I don’t see a purpose to add ingredients that are not fully bioavailable. What’s the purpose of spending money on something that looks fine on the package but your body can’t absorb it. Then it’s wasted money, simply.
Good thing Huel powder does not supplement with Zinc Oxide then.
I totally get where you’re coming from, but as mentioned above zinc piconolate is not permitted for use in all regions.
I’m interested to know where you got this information from. Have you read it somewhere?
Most of the nutrients in Huel are from the main ingredients but more importantly, they’re at levels found naturally in foods. A big issue with supplements is the super high unnecessary doses. I can’t comment on your specific case because there’s a lot of information I don’t know but I’d advise caution applying your experience to Huel products, particularly because Huel is made for the general population, if you have a specific condition that affects your diet then please speak to your doctor.
“I’m interested to know where you got this information from. Have you read it somewhere?”
Yes, when doing research on mineral/nutrient toxicity and especially Pyroluria, this is apparently the case. Also when talking to nutrient specialists after years of consuming the wrong types of nutrients.
Sorry for the confusion, I meant could you send me some of the research you have been reading so I could take a look too.
When looking at studies it has been shown that zinc oxide has a poorer bioavailability when consumed without food (source) but when consumed as part of a meal is equally well absorbed compared to other forms of zinc (source). I haven’t seen studies that show zinc toxicity at levels consumed in food, only at extremely high doses.
As previously stated if you have a health condition, Huel may not be suitable.
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