Zinc
Most multi-vitamins include enough of this mineral but topping up with a separate supplement may be a good idea for some people. There is very little risk in taking double or triple of the RDA amount. 
Table of Contents Suggested
Benefits
and Traditional Uses
Facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Side Effects, Toxicity and Warnings Dosage & How to Take It Evidence of Benefits (Leaf Rating System)
Suggested Benefits and Traditional Uses
Facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What is zinc?This mineral
is essential to our body for
maintaining health. It is needed for enzyme functions, maintaining cell
membranes and regulating DNA function and hormones. The health benefits
of this mineral is listed be
It plays an essential role in:
How do I know if I have a deficiency in zinc?Severe
deficiency in this mineral is
rare except in developing countries where their diet is very poor.
Signs and symptoms of severe deficiency include:
What are some food sources that contain high amounts of zinc?For a listing
of common foods with a rich source of zinc, click here. Most
multi-vitamin supplements contain at least the US RDA amount of zinc.
Side Effects, Toxicity and WarningsWhat are some side effects of taking zinc?The common
side effects of taking this
trace mineral include nausea, vomiting and a metallic taste in the
mouth. However, doses within the U.S. RDA guidelines will rarely cause
any side effects.
What is some toxicity if I take too much or overdose on zinc? Can you take too much?Reported side
effects when taking this trace mineral
in doses above the tolerable upper intake level (UL) include fever,
cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and drowsiness.
Taking between 150 to 450 mg of this mineral on a daily basis is known to cause deficiency in copper, suppress the immune system and lower the "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels in the blood, It is possible that you can take too much of this mineral in your diet, if for example, you eat oysters daily. Click here to see a listing of foods that contains this trace mineral. There is some concern that taking over 40 mg of zinc on a daily basis may cause a deficiency in copper in your body. Some experts suggest adding copper to avoid this concern. (Most multi-vitamins do contain trace amount of copper and that should be sufficient.) What about taking zinc during pregnancy? What's the safety of this mineral?Avoid
taking excess
dose unless supervised by a healthcare professional. Over 80% of
pregnant women around the world is suspected to be deficient in this
mineral. Deficiency during pregnancy is suspected to contribute (in
part) to premature babies, complications in labor and low birth weight.
Dosage & How to Take ItThe U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is listed below for the different age ranges and gender.
Note: As this is a trace mineral, your body only needs a very small amount to completely avoid deficiency. Doses Suggested for Various Health Problems The
Common Cold - Allow one zinc gluconate lozenge
(13 to 23 mg or more) in the mouth slowly. Use one lozenge every 2
hours for one to two weeks.
Acne Conditions - Clinical studies used 30 to 135 mg daily. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Take 80 mg along with vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (400 IU) and beta-carotene 15 mg daily. Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer - Experts suggest taking 15 to 30 mg daily. Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Dosages from 15 mg to 40 mg of zinc daily were used in clinical studies. Note: Take about 3 mg of copper with dosage of zinc above the RDA amount. It is known that high doses of this trace mineral may cause copper deficiency in the body. Find out if the multi-vitamin you take has the needed amount of zinc. Most will have enough. Return to Natural Remedies List Use the search box below to
quickly find what you are looking for!
|
