Zinc
Dosage, Interactions, Side Effects, Mechanisms of Action, and Testing
Zinc is not what your doctor would usually test, even though it can tell you a lot about your health. However, you can request it from your doctor and plug your test results into Lab Test Analyzer. You will find all the information you need about your zinc values, such as if your levels are optimal. And if they are not, it will tell you how to get there, using evidence-based lifestyle, diet, and supplement tips.
The Zinc That I Recommend
If you’re interested in a supplement that provides a full package approach to superior cognitive function and health, we recommend Qualia, which contains Zinc and many other great brain boosting ingredients. Use the coupon code ‘selfhacked’ and get 10% off a 1 time order or 15% off of a recurring order.
Zinc
Sources of Zinc
Food Sources
In the United States, pulses and cereals provide about 30%, meat about 50%, and dairy products about 20% of dietary zinc (R).
Zinc-rich food include red meat, poultry, oysters, eggs, beans, nuts, seafood (crab, lobster), whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products (cheese) (R, R2, R3).
Although whole-grain breads, cereals, and legumes contain phytates that decrease zinc absorption, they are still good sources of zinc (R).
Supplements
A number of different forms of zinc are available as supplements, including zinc citrate, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc orotate, zinc oxide, zinc picolinate, and zinc acetate (R, R2).
The percentage of elemental zinc varies by form (R, R2).
Zinc should be supplemented in:
proven zinc deficiency and zinc-losing conditions
acrodermatitis enteropathica and Wilson’s disease (R, R2)
acute diarrhea in children in developing countries (R)
pneumonia and perhaps malaria (R)
Zinc Dosage
If you’re interested in a supplement that provides a full package approach to superior cognitive function and health, we recommend Qualia, which contains Zinc and many other great brain boosting ingredients. Use the coupon code ‘selfhacked’ and get 10% off a 1 time order or 15% off of a recurring order.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc dosage (according to the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies):
AgeMaleFemalePregnancyLactation
0–6 months2 mg*2 mg*
7–12 months3 mg3 mg
1–3 years3 mg3 mg
4–8 years5 mg5 mg
9–13 years8 mg8 mg
14–18 years11 mg9 mg12 mg13 mg
19+ years11 mg8 mg11 mg12 mg
Source: (R)
However, optimal Zinc dosages may vary based on the individual. I recommend taking 15mg a day as a preventative. I recommend 30mg if you suspect a zinc deficiency.
The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for almost all individuals, for adults is 40 mg/day (R).
Zinc Deficiency
Around 10% of persons in the United States have a dietary intake of less than half the RDA of zinc while over 50% of persons in the third world countries are zinc deficient (R).
1.4% of deaths worldwide are associated with severe zinc deficiency in childhood (R).
Zinc deficiency is characterized by delayed growth, loss of appetite, lethargy, impaired immune function and susceptibility to infection (R, R2, R3).
In more severe cases, zinc deficiency causes hair loss, diarrhea, impaired taste acuity, weight loss, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) in males, and eye and skin lesions (R, R2, R3).
Causes of Zinc Deficiency
1) Inadequate Zinc Intake
Zinc deficiency may be caused by inadequate intake of zinc from the diet (R, R2).
Vegetarians have an increased risk of zinc deficiency because they do not eat meat (high in zinc and may enhance zinc absorption). In addition, their diet is typically rich in legumes and whole which contain phytates that bind zinc and inhibit its absorption (R, R2).
2) Inadequate Zinc Absorption
Several diseases of the digestive system could cause inadequate zinc absorption, including:
acrodermatitis enteropathica (R, R2)
sprue (R)
cystic fibrosis (R, R2)
inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease) (R, R2, R3)
short bowel syndrome (R)
Other cause of low iron absorption in the gut is high intake of food substances that inhibit zinc absorption, such as:
high intake of phytates (whole grains, legumes) (R)
high intake of fiber (R)
3) Increased zinc loss
prolonged diarrhea (R, R2)
kidney diseases (R)
liver cirrhosis (R, R2, R3)
alcoholism (R, R2)
prolonged bleeding (intestinal parasites and heavy menstrual bleeding) (R, R2)
chronic inflammatory diseases that increase IL-1 (R, R2)
hemolytic anemias such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia (R, R2, R3)
excessive sweating and exercise (R, R2)
type I and type II diabetics (R, R2, R3)
Zinc Overload
Zinc overload is uncommon but it can occur due to an overdose or toxic overexposure to zinc (R).
Consumption of food or beverages contaminated with zinc released from galvanized containers may also lead to zinc toxicity (R).
Acute adverse effects of high zinc intake (ingesting more than 200 mg/day of zinc) include cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and headaches (R, R2)
“Zinc shakes”, also known as “zinc chills” or “metal fume fever”, are caused by intense inhalation of fresh industrial fumes containing zinc oxide, and presented as fever, chills, cough, chest pain, and abdominal discomfort (R, R2).
Prolonged intake of supplemental zinc at doses of 50-300 mg/day can lead to copper and iron deficiency, reduced immune function, and toxicity to the nervous system (R, R2, R3, R4).
It may also lead to an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a decline in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, altered heart function, and impaired pancreatic enzymes (R).
Long-term supplementation with doses over 100 mg/day of zinc increased the relative risk of prostate cancer almost 3 fold due to immunosuppressive effect of zinc (R).
Everyone is different and our bodies can be complex. If you want to increase/decrease your zinc levels, it’s best to analyze them with Lab Test Analyzer. This tool will compute, based on this and your other results, the best steps you can take that will bring you back to optimal.
Zinc Interactions with Medications
1) Penicillamine
Zinc can reduce the absorption and effectiveness of penicillamine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Wilson’s disease. Zinc and penicillamine should be taken at least 2 hours apart (R).
2) Antibiotics
Both quinolones (Cipro®, Levaquin®) and tetracyclines (Achromycin®, Minocin®) decrease the absorption of zinc in the gut, and vice versa (R, R2).
Taking the antibiotic at least 2 hours before or 4–6 hours after taking a zinc supplement minimizes this interaction.
3) Diuretics (Water Pills)
Prolonged use of thiazide diuretics (Hygroton®, Esidrix® and HydroDIURIL®) could deplete zinc levels by increasing zinc removal in the urine by as much as 60% (R).
Amiloride (Midamor®) can increase the amount of zinc in the body (R).
4) Blood Pressure Medication
ACE inhibitors (Capoten®, Vasotec®, Monopril®) and angiotensin receptor blockers (Edarbi®, Atacand®) used to treat high blood pressure, may decrease the levels of zinc in the blood (R, R2).
5) Cisplatin
Cisplatin, used to treat some types of cancers, increases urinary zinc excretion thus decreasing blood levels of zinc in patients treated with cisplatin (R).
Interactions with nutrients
1) Iron
High doses of zinc can interfere with the absorption of iron (R).
Iron supplements, taken together with zinc supplements on an empty stomach, may inhibit the absorption of zinc.
When taken with food, supplemental iron does not inhibit zinc absorption (R, R2,R3).
2) Copper
Zinc supplementation can interfere with the absorption of copper, and cause a copper deficiency which has been reported in humans using up to 600 mg elemental zinc daily or excessive usage of zinc-based dental adhesives (R, R2, R3).
3) Alcohol
Alcohol decreases the absorption of zinc and increases urinary zinc excretion (R).
4) Calcium
Excessive dietary calcium decreases zinc absorption (R).
5) Protein
Protein enhances zinc absorption (R).
6) Phytates and Fiber
Phytates and fiber (present in vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and legumes) bind to zinc and inhibit its absorption (R, R2).
7) Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic Acid (commonly found in coffee) can decrease zinc absorption (R).
8) Vitamin A
Zinc has been shown to increase Vitamin A levels in the blood (R).
9) Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
Zinc is commonly supplemented with Vitamin B6 and magnesium in the formulation known as ZMA, used primarily by athletes as it is claimed to be a testosterone booster (R).
Zinc Side Effects
Short term effects of zinc toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and irritability (R).
Long term effects of high zinc intake (150–450 mg/day) have been linked to copper deficiency, impaired iron function, depressed immunity, and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (R, R2).
Tests to Assess Zinc Status in Humans
The assessment of zinc status is difficult and challenging because there is no sensitive and specific biomarkers to detect zinc deficiency in humans.
Dietary and medical history and physical examination may all lead to a proper diagnosis.
Laboratory assays for measurement of zinc status:
1) Blood Zinc
Plasma/serum Zinc Concentrations
Normal values for plasma/serum zinc range from 10.7 to 23.0 µmol/L (R).
Blood zinc concentration, which represents <0.2% of total body zinc content, is the most frequently measured biomarker of zinc status (R, R2).
Blood zinc is a useful indicator of the size of the exchangeable zinc pool located in the bone, liver, and blood (R).
Reductions in dietary zinc beyond the capacity to maintain balance lead to utilization of zinc from this pool which leads to the rapid onset of both metabolic and clinical signs of zinc deficiency (R).
Plasma zinc concentration also changes in response to stress, infection, meals, short-term fasting, and the hormonal state (R, R2, R3).
White Blood Cell Zinc Concentration
White blood cell (neutrophil) zinc reflect levels of tissue zinc accurately, and is thus a very useful parameter of zinc status (R, R2).
Zinc in the red cells may also be used for assessment of body zinc but the zinc levels do not reflect recent changes with respect to body zinc stores (R).
Oral Zinc Tolerance Test
Oral zinc tolerance test measures the increase in blood zinc caused by oral ingestion of 25 or 50 mg zinc acetate. The test is quite variable among subjects (R).
This test has also been used to assess the effects of different foods, meals, vitamin and mineral supplements, diseases and medications on zinc absorption (R).
Metallothionein
Metallothionein is a protein found in most tissues, particularly in the liver, pancreas, and kidney, and binds zinc and copper (R).
Metallothionein can also be detected in the plasma and red blood cells, and both clearly indicate whether an individual is zinc-deficient because they reflect recent changes in dietary zinc (R, (R2).
Possibly, metallothionein concentrations will also prove to be a useful indicator of changes in dietary zinc (R).
2) Urinary Zinc
Levels of zinc in the urine usually range from 0.3 to 0.6 mg/day (R).
The measurement of zinc in 24-hr urine sample is helpful for diagnosing zinc deficiency in healthy individuals. Urinary excretion of zinc is decreased as a result of zinc deficiency (R).
Many diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, sickle cell disease, chronic kidney disease, burns, and starvation, are characterized by excessive urinary zinc excretion, thus these conditions should be eliminated (R, R2).
3) Hair Zinc
Hair zinc levels of less than 1.07 µmol/g probably reflect a chronic suboptimal zinc status in children. The validity of hair zinc level as an indicator of chronic suboptimal zinc status in adults remains uncertain (R, R2).
Hair zinc analysis cannot be used in cases of severe zinc deficiency or malnutrition because the rate of hair growth is decreased in malnourished patients. In such cases, hair zinc concentrations may be normal or even high (R, R2).
Hair zinc concentrations vary with hair color, season, sex, age, anatomical site of sampling and rate of hair growth. These factors must be considered when interpreting the hair zinc concentrations (R).
4) Taste Acuity
Diminished taste acuity (hypogeusia) is a symptom of zinc deficiency, and it has been used as a functional test of zinc status (R).
In a taste acuity test, solutions of varying concentrations of the four different taste qualities (salt, sweet, bitter, and sour) are used. The test is based on the detection and recognition thresholds for each taste quality (R).
Zinc taste tests should be performed midmorning, at least 2 h after a meal, and by the same person on each occasion (R).
Zinc Mechanisms of Action
-Induced IL-2 and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (R,R2)
-Inhibited caspase-3, caspase-6, caspase-9 and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio (R,R2,R3,R4,R5)
-Inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NADPH oxidase (R,R2)
-Induced metallothionein (MT) (R)
-Increased glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and Zn/Cu superoxide dismutase (SOD) (R,R2,R3,R4)
-Increased MMP 2 and MMP 8 (R)
-Decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), secretory phospholipase A2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy alkenals (HAE) (R)
-Decreased NF-κB activation; increased A20 and PPAR-α (R)
-Inhibited STAT3 activation (R)
-Increased Il-2 activated PI3K/Akt pathway (R)
-Increased inducible iTreg cells; reduced TH17 cells (R)
-Suppressed IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF and IL-5 production in stimulated human T cells and mouse splenocytes (R)
-Increased Foxp3 and KLF-10 and decreased IRF-1 (R)
-Blocked Ca2+ uptake in human basophils and lung mast cells (R)
-Suppressed ERK and NF-κB pathway in airway smooth muscle cells (R)
-Decreased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils, normalized ZIP1, and ZIP14 (R)
-Decreased neutrophil infiltration and TNF-α cytokine release into the airways, decreased NF-κB DNA-binding and IKK activity in HL-60 cells, degraded RIP1, decreased serum IgE levels (R)
-Decreased numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, and monocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); suppressed eotaxin and MCP-1protein secretion; and increased lung IFN-γ mRNA expression (R)
-Reduced PBMC proliferation of atopic subjects; increased IFN-γ/IL-10ratios and enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release, increased Treg cells, increased mRNA expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (R)
-Blocked NMDA receptors and pre-synaptic K channels (KATP channels), suppressed glutamate release and glutamate-stimulated neuronal firing (R,R2,R3)
-Decreased ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), leptin, malondialdehyde (MDA), LDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP (R)
-Inhibited glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) (R)
-Increased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and growth hormone (GH)(R,R2)
-Increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BAPE) and BAP mass (BAP-M) (R)
-Increased BDNF in hippocampus and serum (R,R2)
-Inhibited dopamine transporter (DAT) (R)
-Enhanced serotonin uptake in the corpus callosum, cingulate cortex, and raphe nucleus(R)
-Inhibited H(+)-transport, increased mucus secretion in the stomach (R)
-Enhanced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release (R)
-Increased orexin and neuropeptide Y (R)
-Causes cell death (for high doses of zinc) by activation of p38 and potassium channels (R,R2,R3,R4).
-Causes cell death(in high doses) by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration (R,R2).
-Causes cell death(in high doses) by releasing cytochrome C from the mitochondria by decreasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio (R,R2,R3,R4,R5)
-Increased hemoglobin in uremic patients (R)
-Inhibited manganese uptake (in Streptococcus pneumonia) (R)
-Increased insulin sensitivity; lowered blood glucose (R,R2)
-Decreased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (R)
-Increased leptin (R)
-Increased testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and LH (R,R2)
-Inhibited parathyroid hormone and PGE2 (R,R2,R3,R4,R5)
-Increased T3 and T4 and resting metabolic rate (R)
-Stimulated production of carbonic anhydrase VI (gustin) (R)
-Increased succinate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase, and ATPase activities in mitochondria (R)
-Inhibited 5-alpha reductase (R)
-Zinc’s antioxidant effects are linked to its ability to stabilize cellular membranes, increase free radical scavengers (i.e.,metallothioneins), activate other antioxidant systems (e.g., GSH, catalase, and Cu/Zn SOD), and inhibit pro-oxidant enzymes (e.g., iNOS and NADPH oxidase) (R,R2).
-Zinc’s wound healing effects are likely due to its enhancement of metallothioneins, zinc metalloenzymes (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, RNA and DNA polymerases, and MMPs), and growth factors (e.g., IGF-I), all of which help promote tissue repair, collagen synthesis, vascularization, and cell division (R,R2,R3,R4,R5).
-Zinc (in moderate levels) prevents apoptosis by inhibiting cysteine proteases (i.e., caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9), enzymes that help initiate cellular death processes (R,R2).
-The anticonvulsant effects of zinc (in moderate doses) are likely linked to zinc’s reduction of glutamate (by blocking NMDA receptors), which is involved in initiating and spreading seizure activity in the brain (R,R2,R3) .
-The way that zinc stimulates growth may be linked to its ability to increase circulating growth promoting molecules (i.e., IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and GH), which are essential for growth and low in zinc-deficient individuals (R,R2,R3,R4).
Irregular Zinc Levels?
If you have not yet tested your zinc levels, I recommend that you ask your doctor to do it. If you already have your blood test results and you’re not sure what to make of them, you need to check out Lab Test Analyzer. It does all the heavy lifting for you. No need to do thousands of hours of research on what to make of your various blood tests.
People don’t realize that their blood test results contain a gold mine of information that’s waiting to be unearthed. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or the inclination to sift through dozens of research papers.
It’s super-simple, so that even if you don’t have any background in science, you will understand what your results mean and what you can do to get them in the optimal range.
Lab Test Analyzer gives you up-to-date scientific information about your lab results. In addition, you will get both lifestyle tips and natural solutions to help you optimize your health. You can also rely on our science-based Optimal Ranges to prevent potential health issues and maximize your overall well-being.
All of the content is backed by science and researched by a team of PhDs, professors, and scientists.
We’re all unique, so we deserve solutions that treat us
Original Article: www.selfhacked.com/blog/zinc-dosage-interactions-side-effects-mechanisms-action-testing/
