Zinc, a trace element, is essential to all forms of life. It helps maintain the nervous system, boosts the immune system and is essential for metabolism -- biological processes that support life. Because your body does not produce zinc, you must obtain it from external foods. Too much zinc can have side effects that may affect the heart, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. So consult your doctor before supplementing zinc in your diet.
Zinc and Heart Rate
Overdosing on zinc can adversely affect your health and cause significant physical symptoms; however, it is not known to increase the heart rate, says the the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. At high doses, zinc does appear to impact low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the good cholesterol. This may increase your risk for arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, according to Oregon State University. In the case of zinc toxicity, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache.
Side Effects
People who consume too much zinc in their diet are at risk of copper deficiency, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although a copper deficiency is rare, signs and symptoms of long-term copper depletion in the body include anemia, bone fractures, osteoporosis, low body temperature, low white blood cell count, heartbeat irregularities and thyroid disorders. Therefore, adults taking zinc supplements should typically take copper supplements, but talk with your doctor before making any adjustments to your vitamin and mineral regimen.
Safe Amounts
Your body needs zinc in very small amounts. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the recommended daily allowance for adults is 8 mg to 11 mg. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need about 11 mg to 13 mg of zinc per day. Safe daily upper limit intake for teenage girls and boys is 9 mg and 11 mg, respectively. Taking zinc more than 40 mg a day significantly interferes with copper bioavailability, so caution is advised.
Additional Information
Whatever your age, talk to your doctor before taking nutritional supplements, and check with him immediately if you experience heart palpitations or feelings of anxiety, tension or a sense of dread. These can cause disturbances of the heart rate, such as heart arrhythmia -- an abnormal rhythm of the heart.
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