Zinc is a metallic mineral element that is important for human health and plays a role in many different biological processes inside your body. According to the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board, zinc is needed for more than 100 biochemical reactions in your body. Despite its benefits, zinc picolinate, the supplemental form of zinc, can cause side effects when consumed in high doses. Consult your physician before using a supplement containing zinc picolinate.
Acute Toxicity
Consuming more than the upper limit, or UL, of zinc picolinate may increase your risk of developing side effects associated with zinc overdose. The UL for zinc is about 40 mg per day for most adults. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, a zinc overdose may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These effects can be minor or severe, depending on the amount of zinc picolinate you ingest at one time.
Copper Deficiency
Long-term over-consumption of zinc picolinate may cause a deficiency in other trace mineral nutrients, such as copper. A copper deficiency occurs because copper and zinc compete for the same cellular receptors in your gastrointestinal tract. Zinc is more readily absorbed than copper, so when zinc intake is high, copper cannot be properly absorbed into your blood stream. A copper deficiency can lead to anemia, or a low red blood cell count, which may be dangerous in some individuals.
Drug Interactions
Zinc picolinate may interfere with the normal absorption and function of certain drugs and medications, therefore, caution must be taken when using a zinc supplement while on any type of medication. Zinc picolinate supplementation may reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics, reducing their effect on your body. Zinc also interferes with the functioning of some anti-convulsant drugs, diuretics, tuberculosis medications, and Penicillamine. Consult your physician before using a zinc picolinate supplement to make sure it will not negatively affect any medication you may be taking.
Other Considerations
According to the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," zinc toxicity may upset the ratio of HDL and LDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol. By increasing total cholesterol levels and upsetting your cholesterol balance, zinc toxicity may result in an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The National Institutes of Health states that zinc toxicity may result in some additional side effects, such as a metallic taste, kidney and stomach damage, fever, coughing, and fatigue. Taking more than 100 mg of zinc daily for a long time may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer in men.
References
- "The Institute of Medicine"; Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc; 2001
- "Linus Pauling Institute"; Zinc; Jane Higdon; 2003
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Zinc Toxicity; G.J. Fosmire; 1990
- MedlinePlus; Zinc; 2011
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