Zinc

What is it? 

Zinc is an essential trace element which is required by our body for the proper growth and maintenance of our body. It is required for our normal immunity, thyroid function, wound healing,normal eye vision and blood clotting processes. 

Zinc can be found in legumes, nuts, meat, whole grains, seafood and dairy products. 

Zinc deficiency results in slowed growth, low insulin levels, loss of appetite, generalized hair loss, irritability, rough and dry skin,  slow wound healing, diarrhea, nausea and reduced sense of taste and smell. 

Moderate zinc deficiency results in more severe diseases like chronic kidney failure, malabsorption syndromes and chronic debilitating diseases. 

Benefits

There are ongoing research conducted to prove that it is effective for patient with vitamin c deficiency, aid absorption of iron, effective in tyrosinemia (genetic disorder in neonates), age related macular degeneration, reduce risk of atherosclerosis, reduce risk of cancers like mouth cancer, reduce skin redness post laser aesthetic procedure, improves hemolytic anemia, improves lead poisoning, improves physical performance, when taken with vitamin E prevents sunburn but no effect when taken alone and improves wrinkles. 

More randomized controlled research studies need to be conducted to prove other proclaimed benefits.  

Possible side effects 

At normal dosing it is likely safe for most people when taken at doses of less than 40 mg daily. 

Some possible side effects at high doses include fever, cough, fatigue, diarrhea, metallic taste, nausea and vomiting, possible stomach and kidney damage. 


Taking more than 100 mg of zinc daily for more than 10 years doubles the risk of prostate cancer. 
It is likely safe for pregnant & lactating women as well as children to take zinc so long a sit is within the daily recommended dosage. 

Drug-Drug Interactions 

Antibiotics (quinolones and tetracyclines) : Zinc will reduce the absorption fo these antibiotics and reduce their efficacy. 

Penicillamine used to treat rheumatoid arthrtitis and wilson's disease is affected by zinc as zinc reduces its absorption and reduces its efficacy. 

Chemotherapy drug cisplatin:  Zince may increase the effects of cisplatin and increases teh latter's side effects. 

Dosage 

According to scientific research on Vitamin C dosing : 
  • For treating the common cold: one zinc gluconate or acetate lozenge which contains 9-24 mg elemental zinc every two hours 
  • For preventing pneumonia in undernourished children in developing countries: 10-70 mg/day.
  • For anorexia nervosa: 100 mg of zinc gluconate daily.
  • For hypogeusia (abnormal taste): 25-100 mg zinc.
  • For sickle cell disease: zinc sulfate 220 mg three times daily.
  • For treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: doses of zinc sulfate 55 mg (15 mg elemental zinc) up to 150 mg (40 mg elemental zinc) daily.
  • For treating acne: 30-135 mg elemental zinc daily.
  • For treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD): elemental zinc 80 mg plus vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin E 400 IU, and beta-carotene 15 mg daily.



The daily recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are: 


Infants up to 6 months old: 2 mg/day.
 
Infants and children 7 months to 3 years old: 3 mg/day


Children 4 to 8 years: 5 mg/day


Children 9 to 13 years: 8 mg/day


Girls 14 to 18 years: 9 mg/day


Boys and men age 14 and older: 11 mg/day


Women 19 and older: 8 mg/day


Pregnant women 14 to 18: 13 mg/day


Pregnant women 19 and older: 11 mg/day


Lactating women 14 to 18: 14 mg/day


Lactating women 19 and older: 12 mg/day.