Zinc (with copper-balanced strategy)

Safety and Pitfalls

• Long-term high-dose zinc can reduce copper status[630,768,1050, etc.]
• Potential side effect: nausea[630,768,1050, etc.]
• Potential side effect: metallic taste[630,768,1050, etc.]
• Interaction check: quinolone antibiotics[630,768,1050, etc.]
• Interaction check: tetracyclines[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: Ask ODS Join the ODS Email List Consumer Datos en español Health Professional Other Resources Table of Contents Introduction Recommended Intakes Sources of Zinc Zinc Intakes and Status Zinc Deficiency Groups at Risk of Zinc Inadequacy Zinc and Health Health Risks from Excessive Zinc Interactions with Medications Zinc and Healthful Diets References Disclaimer This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: When assessing a patient's zinc status, clinicians also consider risk factors for zinc deficiency, such as inadequate caloric intake, chronic alcohol use, and malabsorptive digestive diseases, as well as signs of zinc deficiency, such as impaired growth in infants and children [ 1 ].[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: Although the zinc intakes from these products are not a concern when they are used as directed, excessive use could lead to zinc toxicity.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: However, chronic, excessive use can lead to zinc toxicity, which can cause copper deficiency and neurologic diseases.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: Such toxicity has been reported in individuals who use at least one tube that contains a total of 70 g or more denture cream each week for several years [ 21-23 ].[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: Zinc Intakes and Status While people in certain age groups, such as older adults, are at higher risk of having marginal zinc intakes, most people in the United States consume an adequate amount of zinc.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: In pregnant women, zinc deficiency can increase the risk of maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS safety note: In populations with low intakes of absorbable zinc (e.g., from meat and fish), including many low-income and middle-income countries, zinc deficiency affects the health of pregnant women and their infants by increasing the risk of child morbidity (including premature birth and low birthweight) and mortality, maternal morbidity, and adverse birth outcomes [ 27 ].[630,768,1050, etc.]
• ODS interaction note: Ask ODS Join the ODS Email List Consumer Datos en español Health Professional Other Resources Table of Contents Introduction Recommended Intakes Sources of Zinc Zinc Intakes and Status Zinc Deficiency Groups at Risk of Zinc Inadequacy Zinc and Health Health Risks from Excessive Zinc Interactions with Medications Zinc and Healthful Diets References Disclaimer This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals.[630,768,1050, etc.]
• Legacy caution group: Must pair with copper at doses >30mg/day to prevent copper depletion[630,768,1050, etc.]