Zinc as a mineral supplement has been believed to help against premature aging of the body, to help injury recovery to skin and muscles, and act as an antioxidant. Zinc is a required element and is a must for good physical development. At the cellular level the body’s need for zinc is so essential because about 3,000 proteins such as enzymes in the body has are made of zinc. Zinc is especially needed by tissues that have a high rate of new cell development, such as bone marrow, immune system cells and the lining of the gut (Emsley, John 2001). Different types of cells secret zinc ions to process intracellular communication and synaptic modulation.
The types of zinc supplements include Zinc Acetate, Zinc Gluconate and Zinc Chelate found in lozenges and cold medicines. It has been shown that Zinc helps fight the common cold and speeds up recovery. For example, in a Zincum Gluconicum study the duration of cold symptoms in the zinc croup was significantly shorter than in the placebo group. Nasal drainage, nasal congestion, hoarseness and sore throat were the symptoms most affected. Significant reduction of total symptoms started from the second day of the study (S.B. Mossad, Department of Infections Diseases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation. QJM, 2002). This study is also presented on the website of Zicam. The product Zicam has been selling its zinc product for quite some time now yet has received some controversy against side effects of some of their products. It seems that some have complained about the loss of smell by inserting the Zicam Nasel gel up the nose. I have tried Zicam and I do like it but I prefer the RapidMelts.
Too Much Zinc
Too much zinc can lead to some problems. Some have suggest that zinc can cause urinary track infections too. As with any supplement don’t abuse is it. One source says 150 milligrams of zinc per day is too much, as it could lead to problems absorbing copper, lowered immunity, and lowered HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Zinc in amounts greater than 200 mg a day can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (www.vitaminstuff.com/qa/mineral-zinc-qa-4.html). Another site mentions that 50mg is a safe limit for a period of time yet; some acne sufferers have benefited from daily supplements of 200mg of zinc over limited periods. Zinc appears to enhance male reproductive health by limiting the mobility of sperm until it enters the female tract. It also benefits men with non-cancerous swelling of the prostate (Benign prostatic hyperplasia), as well as anyone with a cold and anyone on a restricted diet. (http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/Whats_in_food/15-47-108-123.asp ).
Zinc poisoning has been found to occur in animals suggesting that there is a chance of it happening to humans. For instance, hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells. Red blood cells may be destroyed by toxins such as zinc or copper. The clinical signs of zinc toxicosis include: vomiting, diarrhea, red urine, icterus (yellow mucous membranes), liver failure, kidney failure, anemia (Wendy C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP, Educational Director, VeterinaryPartner.com).
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Emsley, John (2001). “Zinc”. Nature’s Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements. Oxford, England, UK: Oxford University Press. pp. 499–505
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