Zinc is an essential mineral found in red meats, shellfish, cheese, whole grains, tofu and other foods. Zinc can also be taken as a dietary supplement to treat zinc deficiency and certain medical conditions, such as Wilson's disease. Zinc supplements can cause both minor and serious side effects, and you should not take zinc unless your doctor recommends it. Talk to your doctor if your prescribed zinc therapy causes side effects such as upset stomach.
Zinc Side Effects
Upset stomach is a common side effect of taking zinc supplements. Zinc supplementation also commonly causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a metallic taste in the mouth. Taking excessively high doses of zinc may result in more serious side effects including hallucinations, anemia, loss of muscle coordination, weakened immune system, copper deficiency and damage to the kidneys and stomach. Other side effects of high zinc doses that may indicate zinc overdose include dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain and yellow skin or eyes. Single zinc doses of 10 to 30 g can be fatal.
Upset Stomach Solutions
Ideally, zinc should be taken with water or juice, and at least 1 or 2 hours after meals; if it causes an upset stomach, however, you can take it with food, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Tell your doctor if you are taking your zinc supplement with food. Also avoid taking zinc within 2 hours of the following foods, which may impair your body's absorption of zinc: milk, poultry and other foods with phosphorous and foods with fiber, including bran and whole grain breads and cereals. Unless you've been prescribed zinc by a doctor, you may also avoid an upset stomach from zinc by consuming zinc-rich foods instead of taking zinc supplements.
Zinc for Stomach Problems
While zinc may cause an upset stomach as a side effect of supplementation, zinc supplements are also used to treat certain stomach ailments. Zinc is likely effective in treating diarrhea in malnourished children, and it is possibly effective in preventing and treating stomach ulcers, according to MedlinePlus. Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with intestinal diseases may develop zinc deficiency and thus benefit from zinc supplementation. Zinc should not be taken with antacids for an upset stomach, as antacids contain calcium, which interferes with zinc absorption.
Warning
Although zinc doses of 40 mg or less per day are considered safe for most people, zinc is not safe for everyone, and you should not take zinc without your doctor's approval. According to MedlinePlus, you should not take zinc supplements if you have HIV or AIDS, as zinc may shorten your life. Zinc supplements should also be avoided by people who take penicillamine, quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics or cisplatin, as zinc may decrease the absorption and therapeutic effects of these medications. Zinc supplements also shouldn't be administered to a child unless they are prescribed by a doctor.
