[Therapeutic efficacy of zinc picolinate in patients with taste disorders].

We studied the therapeutic efficacy of zinc picolinate in patients with zinc-deficient and idiopathic taste disorders. Efficacy was assessed in a double-blind study. The following findings were obtained: 1. There was a significant difference between the zinc picolinate and placebo groups in the grade of improvement shown by the filter-paper disk method. 2. There was a significant difference between the zinc picolinate and placebo groups in the serum zinc concentration. 3. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the degree of total subjective recovery or the grade of improvement, as shown by in the whole mouth method. 4. We conclude that the administration of zinc picolinate is effective for patients with zinc-deficient and idiopathic taste disorders.