Is it possible to get too much zinc

For many people, at many times throughout their lives, eating a well-balanced diet - one that provides you with all the vitamins and minerals that you…. Read more on Jean Hailes for Women's Health website. Vitamin and mineral supplements won't convert poor food choices into a healthy diet, but relevant quantities can address deficiencies at certain life stages.

Read more on myDr website. Here is what you need to know about the benefits for fertility and pregnancy health of folic acid, iodine, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium supplements. Read more on Your Fertility website. Nourishing Nutrients Pumping iron Pumping iron Iron deficiency is not a new subject, especially among women, but it remains the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world.

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Very few kids actually need to take vitamin and mineral supplements, they can get everything they need from a balanced diet. This is largely due to current evidence often being low-quality or unreliable.

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However, vomiting can occur at lower doses as well. In one six-week study in 47 healthy people taking mg of zinc per day, over half experienced nausea and vomiting 6. Although vomiting may help rid the body of toxic amounts of zinc, it may not be enough to prevent further complications. Nausea and vomiting are common and often immediate reactions to ingesting toxic amounts of zinc. In one case study, an individual experienced intestinal bleeding after taking mg of zinc sulfate twice daily for the treatment of acne 7.

Zinc chloride is not used in dietary supplements, but poisoning can occur from accidental ingestion of household products. Adhesives, sealants, soldering fluxes, cleaning chemicals and wood finishing products all contain zinc chloride. Stomach pain and diarrhea are common symptoms of zinc toxicity. In some cases, severe gastrointestinal damage and bleeding can occur. Taking more zinc than the established UL may cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough, headache and fatigue These symptoms occur in many conditions, including other mineral toxicities.

Thus, diagnosing zinc toxicity can be difficult. Your doctor may need your detailed medical and dietary history, as well as blood tests, for a suspected mineral toxicity. Flu-like symptoms can occur due to toxic amounts of several minerals, including zinc. Lower levels put you at a higher risk of heart disease. The review also states that doses of 30 mg of zinc per day — lower than the UL for zinc — had no effects on HDL when taken for up to 14 weeks While several factors affect cholesterol levels, these findings are something to consider if you take zinc supplements regularly.

Zinc is important for your sense of taste. In fact, zinc deficiency can result in a condition called hypogeusia, a dysfunction in your ability to taste 1. Interestingly, zinc in excess of the recommended levels may also cause taste alterations, including a bad or metallic taste in your mouth. Typically, this symptom is reported in studies investigating zinc lozenges cough drops or liquid supplements for treating the common cold.

While some studies report beneficial results, the doses used are often well above the UL of 40 mg per day, and adverse effects are common 3. Zinc plays a role in taste perception. Excess zinc may cause a metallic taste in your mouth, particularly if taken as a lozenge or liquid supplement. Over time, this can cause copper deficiency 2. Like zinc, copper is an essential mineral.

It aids in iron absorption and metabolism, making it necessary for red blood cell formation. It also plays a role in white blood cell formation Red blood cells transport oxygen through your body, while white blood cells are key players in your immune function. Zinc-induced copper deficiency is associated with several blood disorders 17 , 18 , 19 :. Regular doses of zinc above 40 mg per day can hinder copper absorption. This can result in copper deficiency, which is associated with several blood disorders.

Although zinc plays an important role in immune system function, too much zinc can suppress your immune response This is usually a side effect of anemias and neutropenia, but it has also been shown to occur outside of zinc-induced blood disorders.

In test-tube studies, excess zinc reduced the function of T cells, a type of a white blood cell. T cells play a central role in your immune response by attaching to and destroying harmful pathogens 17 , 20 , A small study in 11 healthy men found a reduced immune response after they ingested mg of zinc twice a day for six weeks This removal prevents the body from absorbing zinc or other metals, which could cause further damage.

If the overexposure was due to taking multiple nutritional or vitamin supplements, it is important to meet with a doctor or healthcare professional to discuss a new supplement or medication regimen.

A metalworker whose job exposed them to too much zinc should meet with their employer to discuss safety precautions and ways to minimize exposure, as well as a possible role reassignment. 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.

Doing this is especially important if a person is taking other medications or has a medical condition that the extra zinc intake could affect. Zinc is an important part of a healthful and complete diet, but taking too much can lead to acute or chronic zinc toxicity.

Taking in too much zinc, whether due to exposure in the workplace or through nutritional supplements or vitamins, can cause serious health problems. It is important to speak with a doctor or seek medical care immediately if a person suspects zinc poisoning. Included are details on causes and how it is diagnosed. Zinc plays a vital role in many functions in the body, including growth. Learn about which foods contain the most zinc here. We also cover vegetarian…. Magnesium is essential for health, but taking too much can cause problems, including digestive issues, lethargy, and an irregular heartbeat.

In rare…. Potassium is a nutrient that is key to good heart health. In this article, learn about the best high potassium foods that people can eat. Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable to perform sexually as he cannot maintain a successful erection. What happens when a person takes too much zinc? Symptoms How much is too much? Signs and symptoms of zinc toxicity. Share on Pinterest Stomachache and nausea are possible symptoms of zinc toxicity.

How much zinc is too much? Share on Pinterest Drinking a glass of milk may help prevent the stomach and intestines from absorbing excess zinc.