Zinc Side Effects

Zinc is an important dietary mineral which is needed by the body to perform different bodily functions. After iron, zinc as an element has the second highest concentration in body. It is used to manufacture somewhere around 300 enzymes, where each enzyme has diverse functions and processes to perform like cell reproduction, immunity, protein synthesis, wound repair, vision, free radical protection and immunity. Although healthy and balanced diet does provide our body with sufficient zinc, generally about 9 - 11 milligrams of zinc is enough for a normal body. Foods like red meats, sea foods, poultry, oysters, beans, whole grains, dairy products, legumes, cereals and nuts are excellent sources of zinc, that provide adequate amounts of zinc and prevent us from suffering zinc deficiency.

Benefits of Zinc

Zinc boosts our body's defense mechanism called the immune system and helps in treating common cold, malaria, recurrent ear infections, and preventing lower respiratory infections. It plays a vital role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and decomposition of carbohydrates in the body. Some people use zinc to treat eye infections like macular degeneration, night blindness and cataracts. For patients suffering from asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. zinc intakes prove to be beneficial, as they help building up resistance against these health ailments. Zinc is also used to treat skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, aging, acne and herpes simplex infections, and to speed up wound healing. Disorders like attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), blunted sense of taste (hypogeusia), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), severe head injuries, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), male infertility, etc. can also be cured by using zinc. Hence, to summarize, in order to overcome zinc deficiency symptoms like diarrhea, loss of appetite, lesions, growth retardation (in children), hair loss, taste abnormalities, etc. it is necessary to meet with the zinc dietary requirements in our body, by incorporating zinc in your daily meals.

Side Effects of Zinc

A zinc dosage of 40 milligrams is considered safe to use by FDA, however, dosage beyond this may pose certain risk factors. In fact a dosage somewhere between 150 - 450 milligrams a day can cause potentially serious side effects. This is because excess of zinc in the body may interrupt with the metabolism and absorption of other minerals like iron, magnesium and copper. Decrease in the copper, iron and magnesium levels, may hamper the body's immune system and reduce levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol in the body. Research shows that high intake of zinc in the form zinc supplements like zinc lozenges can cause stomach ache, nausea, mouth irritation, and a bad taste. Zinc nasal spray has been reported to cause severe or complete loss of smell function in people and in some cases the loss is long lasting or forever. Oral zinc sulfate supplements over 150 mg per day, can cause gastrointestinal upset, metallic taste in mouth, blood in urine, and lethargy in many people. Some uncommon side effects include fever, strep throat, mouth sores, weakness and fatigue.

Although zinc health benefits far exceed its side effects, one can not overlook them and so have to be careful before incorporating zinc in your daily diet. Therefore, before taking zinc supplements for any reason, consult your doctor, so that he can recommended the correct dosage as per your age, weight and overall health and make you aware of the probable zinc side effects that you may experience, in case of over dosage.