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Zinc
 
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Zinc

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Health information provided by Aisle7

Related Topics

  1. Pump Up Your Immune System
  2. Vitamins & Minerals for Healthy People
  3. Natural Cold & Flu Remedies: Do They Work?

Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, maintain fertility in adults and growth in children, synthesize protein, help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost immunity, and protect against free radicals, among other functions.

How to Use It

Moderate intake of zinc, approximately 15 mg daily, is adequate to prevent deficiencies. Higher levels (up to 50 mg taken three times per day) are reserved for people with certain health conditions, under the supervision of a doctor. For the alleviation of cold symptoms, lozenges providing 13–25 mg of zinc in the form zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate are generally used frequently but only for several days.

Where to Find It

Good sources of zinc include oysters, meat, eggs, seafood, black-eyed peas, tofu, and wheat germ.

Possible Deficiencies

Zinc deficiencies are quite common in people living in poor countries. Phytate, a substance found in unleavened bread (pita, matzos, and some crackers) significantly reduces absorption of zinc, increasing the chance of zinc deficiency. However, phytate-induced deficiency of zinc appears to be a significant problem only for people already consuming marginally low amounts of zinc.

Even in developed countries, low-income pregnant women and pregnant teenagers are at risk for marginal zinc deficiencies. Supplementing with 25–30 mg per day improves pregnancy outcome in these groups.1, 2

People with liver cirrhosis appear to be commonly deficient in zinc.3 This deficiency may be due to cirrhosis-related zinc malabsorption.4

People with Down’s syndrome are also commonly deficient in zinc.5 Giving zinc supplements to children with Down’s syndrome has been reported to improve impaired immunity6 and thyroid function,7 though optimal intake of zinc for people with Down’s syndrome remains unclear.

Children with alopecia areata (patchy areas of hair loss) have been reported to be deficient in zinc.8, 9

The average diet frequently provides less than the Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc, particularly in vegetarians. To what extent (if any) these small deficits in zinc intake create clinical problems remains unclear. Nonetheless, a low-potency supplement (15 mg per day) can fill in dietary gaps. Zinc deficiencies are more common in alcoholics and people with sickle cell anemia, malabsorption problems, and chronic kidney disease.10

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Zinc competes for absorption with copper, iron,11, 12calcium,13 and magnesium.14 A multimineral supplement will help prevent mineral imbalances that can result from taking high amounts of zinc for extended periods of time.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may increase urinary excretion of zinc.15 Long-term users of NAC may consider adding supplements of zinc and copper.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

May Be Beneficial:Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
Avoid:Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
Check:Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

May Be Beneficial:Alclometasone
May Be Beneficial:Amcinonide
May Be Beneficial:Amlodipine-Benazepril
May Be Beneficial:Aspirin
May Be Beneficial:AZT
May Be Beneficial:Benazepril
May Be Beneficial:Bendroflumethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Betamethasone
May Be Beneficial:Busulfan
May Be Beneficial:Calcium Acetate
May Be Beneficial:Capecitabine
May Be Beneficial:Captopril
May Be Beneficial:Carboplatin
May Be Beneficial:Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Chlorambucil
May Be Beneficial:Chlorothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Chlorthalidone
May Be Beneficial:Cholestyramine
May Be Beneficial:Cisplatin
May Be Beneficial:Cladribine
May Be Beneficial:Clobetasol
May Be Beneficial:Clocortolone
May Be Beneficial:Colesevelam
May Be Beneficial:Colestipol
May Be Beneficial:Cyclophosphamide
May Be Beneficial:Cytarabine
May Be Beneficial:Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol
May Be Beneficial:Desonide
May Be Beneficial:Desonide
May Be Beneficial:Desoximetasone
May Be Beneficial:Dexamethasone
May Be Beneficial:Dexamethasone
May Be Beneficial:Diflorasone
May Be Beneficial:Docetaxel
May Be Beneficial:Enalapril
May Be Beneficial:Erlotinib
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin-Benzoyl Peroxide
May Be Beneficial:Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone
May Be Beneficial:Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate
May Be Beneficial:Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Etoposide
May Be Beneficial:Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial:Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial:Fludarabine
May Be Beneficial:Fluocinonide
May Be Beneficial:Flurandrenolide
May Be Beneficial:Fluticasone
May Be Beneficial:Folic Acid
May Be Beneficial:Fosinopril
May Be Beneficial:Halcinonide
May Be Beneficial:Halobetasol
May Be Beneficial:Hydrochlorothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Hydrocortisone
May Be Beneficial:Hydroflumethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial:Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial:Ifosfamide
May Be Beneficial:Indapamide
May Be Beneficial:Irinotecan
May Be Beneficial:Levonorgestrel
May Be Beneficial:Levonorgestrel-Ethinyl Estrad
May Be Beneficial:Lisinopril
May Be Beneficial:Lomustine
May Be Beneficial:Mechlorethamine
May Be Beneficial:Melphalan
May Be Beneficial:Mercaptopurine
May Be Beneficial:Mestranol and Norethindrone
May Be Beneficial:Methotrexate
May Be Beneficial:Methyclothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Metolazone
May Be Beneficial:Moexipril
May Be Beneficial:Mometasone
May Be Beneficial:Norgestimate-Ethinyl Estradiol
May Be Beneficial:Perindopril
May Be Beneficial:Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Polythiazide
May Be Beneficial:Prednicarbate
May Be Beneficial:Quinapril
May Be Beneficial:Ramipril
May Be Beneficial:Sodium Fluoride
May Be Beneficial:Streptozocin
May Be Beneficial:Thioguanine
May Be Beneficial:Thiotepa
May Be Beneficial:Trandolapril
May Be Beneficial:Trichlormethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Uracil Mustard
May Be Beneficial:Valproate
May Be Beneficial:Vinblastine
May Be Beneficial:Vincristine
Avoid:Ciprofloxacin
Avoid:Demeclocycline
Avoid:Doxycycline
Avoid:Methyltestosterone
Avoid:Ofloxacin
Avoid:Penicillamine
Avoid:Risedronate
Avoid:Tetracycline
Avoid:Warfarin
Check:Cortisone
Check:Medroxyprogesterone
Check:Methylprednisolone
Check:Minocycline
Check:Prednisolone
Check:Prednisone

Side Effects

Zinc intake in excess of 300 mg per day has been reported to impair immune function.16 Some people report that zinc lozenges lead to stomach ache, nausea, mouth irritation, and a bad taste. One source reports that gastrointestinal upset, metallic taste in the mouth, blood in the urine, and lethargy can occur from chronic oral zinc supplementation over 150 mg per day,17 but those claims are unsubstantiated. In topical form, zinc has no known side effects when used as recommended.

Caution: Using zinc nasal spray has been reported to cause severe or complete loss of smell function. In some of those cases, the loss of smell was long-lasting or permanent.18

Preliminary research had suggested that people with Alzheimer’s disease should avoid zinc supplements.19 More recently, preliminary evidence in four patients actually showed improved mental function with zinc supplementation.20 In a convincing review of zinc/Alzheimer’s disease research, perhaps the most respected zinc researcher in the world concluded that zinc does not cause or exacerbate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.21

Zinc inhibits copper absorption. Copper deficiency can result in anemia, lower levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, neurological disorders, and cardiac arrhythmias.22, 23, 24 Copper intake should be increased if zinc supplementation continues for more than a few days (except for people with Wilson’s disease).25 Some sources recommend a 10:1 ratio of zinc to copper. Evidence suggests that no more that 2 mg of copper per day is needed to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency. Many zinc supplements include copper in the formulation to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency. Zinc-induced copper deficiency has been reported to cause reversible anemia and suppression of bone marrow.26 In addition, there are case reports of neurologic abnormalities due to copper deficiency occurring in people who had been using large amounts of certain widely available denture creams that contained high concentrations of zinc.27

In a study of elderly people with macular degeneration, supplementing with 80 mg of zinc per day for an average of about six years increased by about 50% the incidence of hospitalizations due to genitourinary causes (such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and urinary retention).28 In that study, copper was also given, but in a form that cannot be absorbed by humans (cupric oxide). The reported adverse effect of zinc may have been due in large part to zinc-induced copper deficiency, which could be prevented by taking copper in a form other than cupric oxide. Nevertheless, it would be prudent for elderly people wishing to take large amounts of zinc to consult with a doctor.

Marginal zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor in some cases of anemia. In a study of women with normocytic anemia (in other words, their red blood cells were of normal size) and low total iron-binding capacity (a blood test often used to assess the cause of anemia), combined iron and zinc supplementation significantly improved the anemia, whereas iron or zinc supplemented alone had only slight effects.29 Supplementation with zinc, or zinc and iron together, has been found to improve vitamin A status among children at high risk for deficiency of the three nutrients.30

References

Copyright © 2012 Aisle7. All rights reserved. Aisle7.com

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Learn more about the authors of Aisle7 products.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in Healthy Living, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.
 
 
 

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