Zinc |
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Basic Information
Brand names:
Zinc Tablets
Medizinc(R)
Orazinc(R)
Verazinc(R)
Zinc-220(R)
Zincate(R)
ZinKaps-110(R)
ZinKaps-220(R)
Zinc Sulfate(R)
Available as a constituent of many multivitamin/mineral
preparations.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? No
Prescription required? No
NATURAL SOURCES
Beef, lean
Chicken heart
Egg yolk
Fish
Herring
Lamb
Maple syrup
Milk
Molasses, black-strap
Oysters
Pork
Sesame seeds
Soybeans
Sunflower seeds
Turkey
Wheat bran
Wheat germ
Whole-grain products
Yeast
REASONS TO USE
Functions as anti-oxidant.
Maintains normal taste and smell.
Promotes normal growth and development.
Aids wound healing.
Promotes normal fetal growth.
Helps synthesize DNA and RNA.
Promotes cell division, cell repair, cell growth.
Maintains normal level of vitamin A in blood.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Relieves angina.
Relieves cirrhosis of liver.
Boosts immunity.
Prevents cancer.
Increases male potency and sex drive.
Enhances other treatments for diabetes mellitus.
Treats acne.
Treats arthritis.
Retards aging.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements, such as vegetarians.
Preschool children.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or those who have recently undergone surgery.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Anyone taking diuretics (water pills) for any reason, such as
high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver disease.
Women taking oral contraceptives.
Those who live in areas where soil is deficient in zinc.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Moderate deficiency:
Loss of taste and smell
Suboptimal growth in children
Alopecia
Rashes
Multiple skin lesions
Glossitis (See Glossary)
Stomatitis (See Glossary)
Blepharitis (See Glossary)
Paronychia (See Glossary)
Sterility
Low sperm count
Delayed wound healing
Serious deficiency:
Delayed bone maturation
Enlarged spleen or liver
Decreased size of testicles
Testicular function less than normal
Decreased growth or dwarfism
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Infertility
Symptoms of immunodeficient diseases, such as recurrent
infections, fatigue, diarrhea, unexplained weight loss,
unexplained fever, swollen lymph glands
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Serum zinc (by atomic absorption spectroscopy)
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
3mg |
| 6-12 months |
5mg |
| 1-10 years |
10mg |
| 11+ years |
15mg |
| Pregnant |
+5mg |
| Lactating |
+10mg |
What this mineral does:
Zinc is a part of the molecular structure of 80 or more known
enzymes. These particular enzymes work with red blood cells to
move carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs.
Miscellaneous information:
Zinc toxicity from inhalation is rare but can occur in the
following industries and occupations--alloy manufacturing, brass
foundry, bronze foundry, electric-fuse manufacturing, gas
welding, electroplating, galvanizing, paint manufacturing, metal
cutting, metal spraying, rubber manufacturing, roof
manufacturing, zinc manufacturing.
If you take zinc supplements, take with food to decrease
gastric irritation.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you have:
Stomach or duodenal ulcers.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Plans to take more than the manufacturer's recommended dose.
To take any calcium supplement or tetracycline drugs.
Zinc may interfere with absorption of these medicines.
Over age 55:
Deficiency more likely.
Pregnancy:
Many diets are marginally low in zinc and may not supply the
zinc estimated to be required during pregnancy. Ask your doctor
about supplementation.
OVERCONSUMPTION is dangerous and can lead to premature
labor or stillbirth.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Some diets are marginally low in zinc and may not supply the
zinc estimated to be required while breast-feeding. Ask your
doctor about supplementation.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
Decreases high-density lipoprotein levels in young males.
High-density lipoproteins decrease risk of coronary-artery
disease.
High doses decrease copper in blood.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
OVERDOSE
Signs and symptoms:
Toxicity at RDA doses highly unlikely. Toxic symptoms are
extremes of the ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS listed
below. Overdose produces drowsiness, lethargy, lightheadedness,
difficulty writing, staggering gait, restlessness, excessive
vomiting leading to dehydration.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle):
Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison
Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Abdominal pain |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Abnormal bleeding |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Gastric ulceration (burning |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
| pain in upper chest relieved |
immediately. |
| by food or antacid) |
|
| Mild diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Nausea |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
|
immediately. |
| Vomiting |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
|
immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Calcium |
Interferes with calcium absorption. |
| Copper |
Decreases absorption of copper. Large doses of zinc must be taken to produce this effect. |
| Cortisone drugs |
May interfere with lab tests measuring zinc. |
| Diuretics |
Increases zinc excretion. |
| Iron |
Decreases absorption of iron. |
| Oral contraceptives |
Lowers zinc blood levels. |
| Tetracycline |
Decreases amount of tetracycline absorbed into bloodstream. Zinc and tetracycline should NOT be mixed. Take at least 2 hours apart. |
| Vitamin A |
Assists in absorption of vitamin A. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can increase the excretion
of zinc in urine and can impair body's ability to combine zinc
into its proper enzyme combinations in the liver.
Beverages
Coffee should not be consumed at the same time as zinc because
it may decrease absorption of zinc.
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