Zinc lozenges are a common sight in drugstores because it's believed zinc can help shorten the duration of a cold. It also has several other potential uses in treating various medical conditions. However, too much zinc poses serious risks to your health. For men, extended use of high-dose zinc supplements increases the chances of developing prostate cancer.
Link to Prostate Cancer
Taking excessive amounts of zinc over a long period can double your likelihood of developing prostate cancer. However, the risk does not relate to high dietary intakes of zinc. Instead, men who take supplemental zinc in excess of 100mg for more than 10 years have twice the chance of developing prostate cancer than other men, MedlinePlus reports. Also, taking high doses of a multivitamin along with a separate zinc supplement increases the risk of death in men with prostate cancer.
Zinc Supplementation
Doctors and other medical professionals sometimes recommend zinc supplements to treat a variety of health conditions. For example, zinc may help reduce the amount of time you experience the symptoms of a cold and may also be useful in treating conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, age-related macular degeneration and acne. However, because taking high doses of zinc may cause serious health effects, always consult with your doctor before taking a supplement.
Dosage and Recommended Daily Intake
For adult men, the recommended daily intake for zinc is 11mg, while the tolerable upper intake limit is 40mg daily, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports. When taking zinc to help improve a medical condition, the dosing varies. For example, people with macular degeneration can take 80mg of zinc daily, while the recommended treatment for lessening the duration of a cold is taking lozenges containing between 9mg and 24mg of zinc several times a day. Because of the established link between long-term high dosages of zinc and prostate cancer, always speak with your doctor before trying zinc supplements to improve your health.
Zinc Side Effects
Taking a zinc supplement can cause side effects in some users, although it is considered generally safe when taken at a dosage of 40mg daily, MedlinePlus reports. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, upset stomach and a metallic taste when taking zinc at the recommended doses. When taken in doses greater than 40mg daily, the risk of side effects is greater and includes drowsiness, fatigue, sweating, headaches, dizziness, hallucinations, stomach pain, coughing, fever and loss of muscle coordination. At doses greater than 450mg, zinc affects iron levels in the blood. Doses higher than 10g a day can be fatal, MedlinePlus warns.
