The adult RDA for zinc is 11 milligrams for men and 8 milligrams for women. But because absorption from plant foods is quite a bit lower than from animal foods, the National Academies suggests that zinc needs could be as much as 50 percent greater for vegans. That means that vegan zinc needs would be 16½ milligrams for men and 12 milligrams for women. Vegan intakes often fall somewhat below these recommendations.
