Zinc gluconate is a dietary supplement used to treat zinc deficiencies. Zinc is an essential trace mineral found in every cell of the body. The body does not require large amounts of zinc. According the University of Maryland Medical Center, the recommended daily intake for zinc is between 8 and 11 mg, which you can obtain from a healthy diet.
Zinc Deficiencies
Zinc deficiencies can occur in people with restrictive diets, the elderly, alcoholics, or in people who have absorption problems due to digestive disorders. Symptoms of a zinc deficiency include frequent infections, poor appetite, hair loss, loss of sense of smell or taste, slower healing from wounds, delayed growth, skin lesions, and difficulty seeing at night.
Effects
Zinc has antioxidant properties, which may protect the body from free radical damage, help slow down the aging process, and reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Zinc helps boost the immune system and may reduce the severity and duration of the common cold. A study published in the "American Journal of Therapeutics" in Nov-Dec 2002 found that zinc gluconate lozenges greatly reduced the severity of cold symptoms and the use of antibiotics in school-age children. Zinc supplements may be useful in the treatment of certain disease such as HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease, which can cause a zinc deficiency. Zinc may help decrease male infertility and erectile dysfunction. Zinc may be beneficial in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and who are deficient in zinc.
Natural Sources of Zinc
The most readily absorbable form of zinc comes from animal protein sources. Red meat, fish and poultry are good sources of zinc. Zinc is also found in egg yolks, legumes, kelp, soy lecithin, pumpkin seeds, whole grains, cooked leafy greens, miso, mushrooms and oysters.
Considerations
Zinc and iron supplements interfere with each other and should not be taken at the same time. Zinc supplements may cause upset stomach or diarrhea. Drugs.com notes that the recommended dose of zinc gluconate is between 105 to 350 mg daily. Use zinc gluconate as directed on the label or as prescribed by a physician. Zinc can interfere with medications that are high in calcium or phosphorus.
References
- Drugs.com: Zinc Gluconate
- "American Journal of Therapeutics": Effectiveness of Zinc Gluconate Glycine Lozenges (Cold-Eeze) Against the Common Cold in School-aged Subjects; McElroy BH, Miller SP, Nov-Dec 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Zinc
- MedlinePlus; Zinc in Diet; March 7, 2009
- MedlinePlus; Zinc; Nov. 24, 2010
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