symptoms of too much zinc supplement

Zinc is an important dietary nutrient that plays crucial roles throughout the entire body. Taking in too much zinc can be harmful, however, and it may cause a range of symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), an excessive intake of zinc can cause zinc toxicity.

Full Answer

What are the side effects of excessive zinc?

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Blistered, red, swollen or peeling skin, with or without fever
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Unusual hoarseness
• Swelling of the throat, mouth, face, lips or tongue

What happens when a person takes too much zinc?

The symptoms of acute toxicity will appear soon after taking a high dose of zinc and can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomachache
• diarrhea
• headaches

What are the dangers of taking zinc supplements?

Zinc Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route)

• Chills
• continuing ulcers or sores in mouth or throat
• fever
• heartburn
• indigestion
• nausea
• sore throat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Why do I feel sick after taking zinc?

Tips To Treat And Prevent Nauseous Feeling Caused By Zinc

• Reduce your dose: It makes sense that when you feel nauseous because of a high amount of zinc, you have to reduce your dose.
• Maintain food sources of zinc: You can get zinc from food sources, so it’s great to stick to that. ...
• Take it with a meal: If you feel nauseous when taking zinc supplements on an empty stomach, ensure you take it with food.

What are the side effects of too much zinc?

Adverse effects of high zinc intake include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Intakes of 150–450 mg of zinc per day have been associated with such chronic effects as low copper status, altered iron function and reduced immune function.

How much zinc can you take in a 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.

How much zinc is an overdose?

Zinc toxicity is a medical condition involving an overdose on, or toxic overexposure to, zinc. Such toxicity levels have been seen to occur at ingestion of greater than 50 mg of zinc. Excessive absorption of zinc can suppress copper and iron absorption.

Is 50mg zinc too much?

50 mg per day is too much for most people to take regularly though, and can cause copper imbalance or even overdose. Best to get tested before taking this for months on end, or at the very least do a lot of research first.

Is it okay to take zinc everyday?

Including zinc in your diet every day is okay, provided it is within the recommended daily allowance, which is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for adult men. Since zinc is a trace mineral, consumption of an excess amount can cause health problems.

Why do I feel sick after taking zinc?

When you take a zinc supplement orally, it will dissolve in a single spot when it reaches your stomach. As it dissolves, the heavy concentration of zinc could irritate the stomach lining in that area, leading to pain or discomfort in addition to nausea or the risk of vomiting.

How does the body get rid of excess zinc?

Chelation is a process that removes excess metals, such as zinc, copper, or lead, from the body. During this treatment, a doctor gives the person a drug that helps bind the excess zinc and remove it from the body through the urine.

Is it OK to take vitamin C and zinc together?

In pooled analyses of both studies (n=94), vitamin C plus zinc was significantly more efficient than placebo at reducing rhinorrhoea over 5 days of treatment. Furthermore, symptom relief was quicker and the product was well tolerated.

Who should not take zinc?

Medications that may interfere with zinc include: blood pressure medications, penicillamine, amiloride, certain antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, cisplatin, immunosuppressant medications, deferoxamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and thiazide diuretics.

Is 75 mg of zinc a day too much?

Health authorities have set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc at 40 mg per day for adults. The UL is the highest recommended daily amount of a nutrient. For most people, this amount is unlikely to cause negative side effects ( 1 , 2).

Is 50 mg of zinc OK to take daily?

Long-term zinc supplementation at these levels should be accompanied by supplements of copper and perhaps calcium, iron, and magnesium. Large amounts of zinc (over 50 mg per day) should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

What happens if you take too much zinc?

diarrhea. headaches. If a person takes high levels of zinc over a long period, they can experience chronic zinc toxicity, which may lead to the following: low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol.

What to do if you have too much zinc?

Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms or suspects that their job has exposed them to too much zinc should seek emergency care or call a poison control center right away. It is also important to discuss any nutritional or vitamin supplements with a doctor before starting to take them.

What are the symptoms of zinc poisoning?

Signs and symptoms of zinc toxicity. Share on Pinterest. Stomachache and nausea are possible symptoms of zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity can be either acute, leading to short term side effects, or chronic, resulting in long term issues.

How much zinc should I take a day?

8 mg. The ODS also provide the upper limits of how much zinc is safe to take per day. The tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) refer to the largest amount of zinc that a person can take each day with little to no associated risk. People should not exceed these limits.

How long before zinc should I take fluoroquinolone?

People taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), or tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline (Vibramycin), should take the antibiotic either 2 hours before taking zinc or 4–6 hours afterward.

How to prevent zinc overdose?

Drinking a glass of milk may help prevent the stomach and intestines from absorbing excess zinc. If a person suspects a zinc overdose, they can contact their local poison control center for advice. In the United States, the number for Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

How long does zinc fume fever last?

This condition is acute and very short lived, and it occurs when someone breathes in too much zinc through dust or fumes. It usually only lasts about 24–48 hours and can cause symptoms that include: chills. sweating.

What happens if you take too much zinc?

Too much zinc in your system can have adverse health effects, including digestive disorders, mineral imbalances, loss of sense of smell or irreversible damage to your nervous system.

Why is zinc toxic?

Zinc overdose can result from too much zinc intake from the combination of food with various other sources. Overuse of zinc supplements and multivitamins, or high therapeutic doses of prescribed medicines, could cause zinc toxicity symptoms.

How much zinc is in oysters?

There are many food sources of zinc. Oysters contain more zinc than many other foods, with 74 milligrams per 3-ounce serving, supplying 494 percent of your daily value. Other top sources of zinc include:

How long does it take for zinc to cause diarrhea?

Intake of 50 to 150 milligrams per day of supplemental zinc can cause minor gastrointestinal distress that may occur within three to 10 hours . Single doses of 225 to 450 milligrams of zinc usually induce vomiting. Other symptoms include: Severe dehydration. Diarrhea.

How much zinc is in a woman?

Women, 14 to 18 years of age, 9 milligrams; age 19 and over, 8 milligrams. Pregnant and lactating women, 11 to 13 milligrams. Advertisement. These values apply to total zinc intake from food, including fortified foods, water and supplements.

What is the condition that leads to a lack of iron?

A zinc-induced copper deficiency can lead to several disorders related to iron absorption including: Iron-deficiency anemia: Insufficient healthy red blood cells due to lack of iron in your body. Neutropenia: A lack of white blood cells in your body due to an interference with their formation.

What is zinc used for?

Zinc is found throughout your body and required to carry out many aspects of cellular metabolism. Involved in the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes, zinc is essential for: Advertisement. Immune function. Protein synthesis. Wound healing. DNA synthesis. Proper sense of taste and smell. Cell division.

What are the symptoms of zinc?

2. Flu-like symptoms. Another indicator of too much zinc is experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, cough and fatigue.

How do you know if you have zinc intoxication?

These are the signs to watch out for. 1. Stomach pain. One of the biggest signs of zinc intoxication is stomach pain and diarrhea. In one case, in a review of 17 studies, it was found that using zinc supplements to treat the common cold, 40% of participants reported having diarrhea and stomach pain. Zinc, if taken too often and in too large of ...

Why is zinc important for our body?

Zinc, which is involved in over 100 chemical reactions in the body, is necessary for our growth, DNA synthesis and our normal taste perception. It also supports our immune system function, boosts the body’s ability to heal wounds and aids in reproductive health.

Can zinc cause nausea?

In one review of 17 different studies it was found that while taking zinc supplements can help reduce the duration of a common cold, too much of it can cause nausea and vomiting. Of all the study participants, 46% of reported experiencing this.

Can zinc cause metallic taste?

If you’re experiencing a foul or metallic taste while you’re taking zinc supplements, it can happen. In one study, participants took 25-mg zinc tablets every two hours, and 14% of the individuals reported the side effect of a metallic taste. If you’re taking zinc supplements, and you notice this, you may be taking too much. 5.

Is it safe to take zinc supplements?

These are sources high in zinc: Overdoing your zinc intake from food alone is typically uncommon. Usually, overdoing zinc comes when taking too much in the form of a supplement. These supplements — such as these Zinc Vegetarian Capsules — can be helpful and safe when used properly.

Does zinc affect taste?

Zinc plays a big role in your sense of taste. With zinc deficiency, you can actually develop a condition called hypogeusia: a dysfunction in your ability to taste. Interestingly enough, on the opposite side, having too much zinc in your system can cause your taste to be altered.

Macromolecule Synthesis Mechanisms

Several studies have looked at the role of zinc in transcription factors. What they have found is that zinc is an all-important structural molecule in “ zinc fingers .”

How Much Zinc Is Too Much?

The amount of zinc each person needs each day is dependent on a variety of life stage factors, including age and pregnancy. It ranges from 2 to 13 mg, with men and women needing 11 mg and 8 mg.

How You Could Be Getting Too Much Zinc

There are a variety of different ways that a person could begin to develop zinc over nutrition. Sometimes the body takes in too much zinc through the diet. Food sources that contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and are high in zinc include:

What if You're Not Getting Enough Zinc?

While zinc deficiency is not common in developed countries, the effects of deficiency are more well known and have some symptoms in common with overnutrition. Those with low levels of zinc may have a higher risk of developing pneumonia and other infections.

Summary

Zinc plays an essential role in various body functions and is responsible for keeping your mind sharp and your DNA replicating correctly. When your zinc level is out of balance, it can cause many things to go wrong for your digestive and immune systems.

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What happens if you take too much zinc?

If you have taken an excess amount of zinc for a long period of time, you may experience symptoms related to chronic zinc overdose. Some symptoms you may experience if you have chronic zinc overdose include: Lowered iron amounts (associated with iron deficiency anemia)

What medications can help with zinc?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some medications that zinc may interact with include: Penicillamine — used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Thiazide diuretics — can increase the amount of zinc lost in urination. For people with zinc deficiencies, they may need to take higher doses of this drug.

How much zinc is in oysters?

In fact, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3 ounces of oysters contain 74 milligrams of zinc, which is 493 percent of the daily needs. Still there is no evidence that someone who ate oysters developed signs or symptoms of a zinc overdose. Advertisement.

How old do you have to be to take zinc?

Ages 9 to 13 — 23 milligrams. The people most at risk for developing zinc side effects are those that take supplements including multivitamins, lozenges or zinc tablets. However, this should not stop you from taking your supplements if your doctor has prescribed them due to a zinc deficit. Follow all your doctor's recommendations, ...

Does zinc interfere with antibiotics?

Quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics — zinc can interfere with their ability to fight bacteria. While zinc lozenges are available to shorten the duration of common illnesses, if you are sick and on antibiotics, you will need to use extra care when taking zinc.

Does zinc interact with other medications?

Zinc Interactions With Medications. Zinc supplements can also interact with several medications. You should talk to your doctor before starting a zinc supplement to make sure it won't interact with any of your medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, some medications that zinc may interact with include:

Can you overdose on zinc?

Zinc Intake and Upper Limits. If you eat zinc as part of your dietary intake, there is limited to no chance you will overdose on zinc. Some foods that naturally contain higher amounts of zinc include: Red meats. Fortified cereals.

Zinc: Sources and Dosing

One of the most common questions among those taking zinc to boost their immune system is "Can you take too much zinc?" After all, it is used in over 100 chemical interactions that occur daily within the body [3]. Therefore, some assume that more zinc would be beneficial to the body.

Zinc Overdose Signs

An abundance of zinc in your daily diet while consuming a zinc supplement can present a health risk to your body. It is not advisable to take a large zinc supplement if you regularly consume foods containing zinc. There are two types of zinc toxicity: acute and chronic.

Copper Deficiency

Outside of the troublesome zinc overdose symptoms, the main problem with consuming too much zinc is the development of copper deficiency. While only 10mg of zinc is required each day based on the daily value nutritional chart, most doctors prescribe zinc supplements in doses of 135mg per day [13].

Take a Safe Zinc Supplement

As these studies and case reviews clearly illustrate, the safest way to approach zinc supplementation is with a low dose designed to supplement a healthy diet of foods containing zinc. This helps reduce the risk of suffering from a zinc overdose and lowers the risk of developing a copper deficiency.

How much zinc is needed for colds?

One review of seven studies showed that zinc lozenges containing 80-92 mg of zinc may reduce common cold duration by up to 33% ( 10. Trusted Source. ). Zinc may also act as an antioxidant, helping reduce inflammation and protecting against chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes ( 11.

What is zinc used for?

Zinc is well known for its role in blood sugar control and insulin secretion. Insulin is the hormone responsible for transporting sugar from your bloodstream to your tissues ( 14#N#Trusted Source#N#).

What is zinc gluconate used for?

Here are a few you might find on the market: Zinc gluconate: As one of the most common over-the-counter forms of zinc, zinc gluconate is often used in cold remedies, such as lozenges and nasal sprays ( 2 ). ).

What is the best zinc for colds?

Here are a few you might find on the market: 1 Zinc gluconate: As one of the most common over-the-counter forms of zinc, zinc gluconate is often used in cold remedies, such as lozenges and nasal sprays ( 2 ). 2 Zinc acetate: Like zinc gluconate, zinc acetate is often added to cold lozenges to reduce symptoms and speed up the rate of recovery ( 3#N#Trusted Source#N#). 3 Zinc sulfate: In addition to helping prevent zinc deficiency, zinc sulfate has been shown to reduce the severity of acne ( 4#N#Trusted Source#N#). 4 Zinc picolinate: Some research suggests that your body may absorb this form better than other types of zinc, including zinc gluconate and zinc citrate ( 5#N#Trusted Source#N#). 5 Zinc orotate: This form is bound to orotic acid and one of the most common types of zinc supplements on the market ( 6 ). 6 Zinc citrate: One study showed that this type of zinc supplement is as well-absorbed as zinc gluconate but has a less bitter, more appealing taste ( 7#N#Trusted Source#N#).

Is zinc picolinate good for you?

Trusted Source. ). Because it’s one of the most widely available and cost-effective forms of zinc, zinc gluconate can be a good option to help bump up your intake without breaking your bank. However, if you’re able to invest a bit more, zinc picolinate may be better absorbed.

Does zinc sulfate help acne?

Zinc sulfate: In addition to helping prevent zinc deficiency , zinc sulfate has been shown to reduce the severity of acne ( 4. Trusted Source. ). Zinc picolinate: Some research suggests that your body may absorb this form better than other types of zinc, including zinc gluconate and zinc citrate ( 5. Trusted Source.

Can zinc supplements cause digestive issues?

Summary. Zinc can cause negative side effects, including digestive issues and flu-like symptoms.

What is zinc good for?

Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. With a varied diet, your body usually gets enough zinc. Food sources of zinc include chicken, red meat and fortified breakfast cereals.

How long after zinc can you take antibiotics?

Taking the antibiotic two hours before or four to six hours after taking zinc can minimize this effect. Penicillamine. Using oral zinc with the rheumatoid arthritis drug penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) can reduce the drug's ability to ease arthritis symptoms.

Does zinc help with skin ulcers?

Wound healing. People with skin ulcers and low levels of zinc might benefit from oral zinc supplements. Diarrhea.

Can zinc help with diarrhea?

Oral zinc supplements can reduce the symptoms of diarrhea in children with low levels of zinc, such as from malnutrition. There isn't enough evidence to recommend use of oral zinc for children with diarrhea who have a healthy, varied diet. Age-related macular degeneration.

Does zinc oxide help with macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration. Research suggests that oral zinc might slow the progression of this eye disease. Zinc that's used topically is known as zinc oxide. Zinc oxide cream, ointment or paste is applied to the skin to prevent conditions such as diaper rash and sunburn.

Can zinc supplements be taken after a cold?

Oral zinc supplements might benefit people with low levels of zinc. Taken soon after cold symptoms appear, zinc might also shorten the length of a cold. However, don't use intranasal zinc, which has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.

Macromolecule Synthesis Mechanisms

How Much Zinc Is Too Much?

How You Could Be Getting Too Much Zinc

What If You're Not Getting Enough Zinc?

• While zinc deficiencyis not common in developed countries, the effects of deficiency are more well known and have some symptoms in common with overnutrition. Those with low levels of zinc may have a higher risk of developing pneumonia and other infections. For example, a disruption of the copper to zinc ratio in either direction may cause similar s...

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Summary