Zinc is a mineral your body for proper immune function, wound healing, physical development, cell division and DNA synthesis. Because your body does not store zinc as it does other nutrients, consuming zinc daily is essential, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc carbonate is a compound derived from zinc, commonly found in dietary supplements. To determine whether increasing your zinc carbonate intake might benefit your wellness, seek guidance from your doctor.
Deficiency Uses
Zinc carbonate may help alleviate symptoms of a zinc deficiency, which may include delayed growth in children, appetite loss and impaired immune function. In severe cases, zinc deficiency causes diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, impotence, diarrhea, skin lesions, weight loss, mental weakness, delayed wound healing and a reduced sense of taste. Although zinc deficiencies are uncommon in North America, according to the ODS, digestive disease that interferes with nutrient absorption, such as colitis or Crohn's disease, other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, alcoholism and liver disease, or following a vegetarian diet increase your risk.
Health Claims
In addition to alleviating zinc deficiencies, zinc and zinc compounds, including zinc carbonate, are believed to guard against certain types of cancer, reduce asthma, allergy, cold and menopause symptoms and fortify your skin, according to the American Cancer Society. Zinc has also been marketed as a remedy for anthrax poisoning and varicose veins.
Effectiveness
Low zinc levels have been linked to larger neck and head tumors, more advanced stages of cancer and a greater frequency of unplanned hospital stays in cancer patients, notes the American Cancer Society. However, it is impossible to know if the zinc deficiencies were caused by cancer or other unknown factors. Because zinc levels are hard to measure accurately using blood tests, according to the ACS, it is difficult to know whether increased zinc intake makes a difference. According to a research review published in "Medical Hypotheses" in March 2010, a 7-day trial in 1984 showed that zinc lozenges reduced the duration of the common cold. Fourteen placebo-controlled clinical trials over the following 25 years showed widely varying results; roughly half of the studies showed no benefit of zinc supplementation for treating colds.
Sources and Dosage
Most adults require 40 mg of zinc per day, according to the ODS. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may prescribe zinc carbonate or other forms of zinc, which are available in capsule, multivitamin and lozenge forms. Proper dosage depends on your physical health and dietary habits. Zinc carbonate also occurs naturally in a variety of foods, including seafood, meats, dairy products, whole grains, nuts and legumes. A 3-oz. serving of beef shanks provides over 40 percent of your daily recommended intake. One chicken leg provides 18 percent of your recommended daily intake, while a serving of beans, cashews and yogurt each provide 11 percent of what you require daily.
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