Excess zinc is toxic. Too much zinc will interfere with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, particularly iron and copper.
Zinc toxicity, along with an induced copper deficiency, is becoming more of a problem as the routine and chronic use of large doses of zinc becomes more common. Those on long-term supplementation should be monitored for zinc and copper status.
Symptoms of zinc toxicity occur after ingestion of 2gm of zinc or more.
Symptoms of zinc toxicity include nausea, vomiting and fever.
Prolonged large doses of zinc may, by lowering manganese levels, increase susceptibility to autoimmune reactions.
An insidious effect of excess zinc over a period of years is the reduction of serum manganese, 90% of which is contained in the erythrocytes.
Long term administration of high doses of zinc require monitoring zinc status and should be consumed with small doses (2mg) of copper.
Low doses of copper will help restore the imbalance between zinc and copper caused by long term excessive zinc intake.
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