Zinc is a mineral. It is called “an important trace element” because very small amounts of zinc are needed for human health. Since the human body does not store excess zinc, it should be consumed regularly as part of a diet. Common dietary sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, and fish. Zinc deficiency can result in shorter duration, reduced ability to taste the food, and failure of testes and ovaries to function properly.
Zinc is taken orally for treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency and its effects, including unstable growth and severe diarrhea in children, slow wound healing, and Wilson’s disease. It is also used to boost the immune system, improve the growth and strength of infants and children without zinc, in the treatment of common cold and common ear infections, fever, upper respiratory infections, prevention and treatment of lower respiratory infections, swine flu, ringworm, and severe head injuries. It is also used for malaria and other bacterial infections.
Side Effects of Zinc
AIDS Diarrhea-Loss Syndrome
Taking zinc together with vitamins does not seem to improve AIDS diarrhea-deficient syndrome.
Wearing hair
Although there is initial evidence that zinc taken together with biotin may be helpful in hair loss, most studies suggest that zinc is not effective for this condition.
Rough, itchy skin
Taking zinc in the mouth does not improve the redness or itching of the skin in children with eczema.
Cataracts
Taking zinc orally in conjunction with antioxidant vitamins does not seem to help treat or prevent cataract fungus.
Cystic fibrosis
Zinc sulfate is not shown to improve lung function in children or adolescents with synthetic fibrosis, although it may reduce the need for antibiotics.
HIV/AIDS
Taking zinc orally along with antiretroviral therapy does not improve immunity or reduce the risk of death in HIV-infected children.
Pregnancy complications in women infected with HIV/AIDS
Taking zinc orally during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of HIV infection in the baby. Also, zinc has not been shown to prevent infant mortality or maternal wastage in pregnant women infected with HIV.
Child development
Giving zinc to children does not improve mental or motor development.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Taking zinc in the mouth does not seem to help in the treatment of IBD.
The flu
People who are not at risk of zinc deficiency are less likely to develop resistance to the flu virus by taking zinc supplements orally.
Ear infections
Children’s ear infections cannot be prevented by playing zinc.
Iron deficiency during pregnancy
Zinc in the mouth does not seem to help people and women taking folic acid supplements improve iron levels.
Prostate cancer
Preliminary studies have suggested that taking zinc with other vitamins and minerals may prevent prostate cancer in some men. However, other studies have shown that zinc intake increases the risk of prostate cancer and increases the risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Red and irritated skin
Eating zinc in the mouth does not seem to help cure psoriasis.
Joint inflammation associated with specific skin conditions
Taking zinc by mouth, alone or in combination with painkillers, does not affect the progression of psoriasis arthritis.
Inflammation in the joint
Playing zinc with the mouth does not seem to help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rosacea
Studies have shown that taking zinc by mouth daily for 90 days does not improve the quality of life or symptoms related to rosacea.
Sexual dysfunction
Research suggests that zinc supplementation does not improve sexual activity in men with sexual function related to kidney disease.
Ringing in the ears
Taking zinc in the mouth does not seem to help treat ringing in the ears.
Upper respiratory infections
Taking zinc orally does not reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
Some people use zinc for an eye disease called macular degeneration, night blindness, and cataract. It is also used for asthma; diabetes and associated neurological damage; high blood pressure; AIDS / HIV, AIDS / HIV-related pregnancy problems; HIV-related diarrhea and AIDS diarrhea, AIDS-related diseases, and high levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia).
Also taken orally anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, dementia, dry mouth, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), hypogeusia, hepatic encephalopathy, related liver disease and alcohol, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach ulcers, stomach ulcers, leg ulcers, and bedsores. Some men take zinc orally for male reproductive problems and enlarged prostate, as well as erectile dysfunction (ED).
Zinc is taken orally for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, warts, and muscle cramps in people with liver disease. Also used for sickle cell disease, itching, rosacea, hair loss, psoriasis, eczema, acne, thalassemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, Hansen’s disease, and cystic fibrosis.
It is also taken orally to prevent cancer, including esophageal cancer, colon, and rectal cancer, stomach cancer, brain cancer, head and neck cancer, recurrence of cancer of the nose and throat, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Zinc is used orally to prevent digestive inflammation, chemotherapy-related problems, anemia, and pregnancy-related complications including iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency (taken with vitamin A), arsenic poisoning, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), blocked arteries, leukemia, burns, diaper rash, leprosy, and skin lesions caused by leishmania infection. Some athletes use oral zinc to improve athletic performance and strength.
Zinc is also used on the skin to treat acne, foot ulcers caused by diabetes, leg ulcers, diaper rash, warts, aging skin, brown spots on the face, herpes simplex infection, parasitic infections, and accelerated wound healing. Zinc is also used in the anus of people with bowel movements.
Zinc citrate is used in toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent the formation of plaque and gingivitis. Zinc is also used to chew gum and sweets, and to cleanse the mouth to control bad breath.
There are zinc preparations that can be sprayed on the nose in the treatment of common colds. Zinc sulfate is used in eye drops solutions to treat eye irritation. Zinc is injected into a vein to improve nutrition in people recovering from burns.
Note that many zinc products also contain another element called cadmium. This is because zinc and cadmium are chemically similar and often occur together in nature. Prolonged exposure to high levels of cadmium can lead to kidney failure. The concentration of cadmium in zinc-containing ingredients can vary as much as 37 times. Look for zinc-gluconate products. Zinc gluconate consistently contains very low levels of cadmium.
Read Also: 11 Science-Based Zinc Benefits For Your Strong Health
FAQ
How much zinc is too much per day?
The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months. Don't use intranasal zinc.
Is 50mg of zinc too much?
Zinc is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses greater than 40 mg daily, especially when these doses are taken only for a short period of time. There is some concern that taking doses higher than 40 mg daily might decrease how much copper the body absorbs.
