Zinc is a mineral that your body uses to bolster immune system function, synthesize DNA and protein and aid in the growth and development of children, both in the womb and after birth. The safe dosage of zinc depends on your age, gender and reproductive status.
Recommended Dietary Allowances
From birth to the age of 6 months, the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for zinc is 2 milligrams per day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. From 7 months to 3 years of age the RDA for zinc is 3 milligrams per day. From 4 to 8 years of age the RDA for zinc is 5 milligrams per day. From 9 to 13 years of age the RDA for zinc is 8 milligrams. For males from the age of from 14 and up, the RDA for zinc is 11 milligrams. For females between the age of 14 and 18 the RDA for zinc is 9 milligrams. For females from the age of 19 and up the RDA for zinc is 8 milligrams. For pregnant females 18 years of age and younger the RDA of zinc is 12 milligrams daily. For pregnant females 19 years of age and older, the RDA for zinc is 11 milligrams daily. For breast-feeding females 18 of age years and younger, the RDA for zinc is 13 milligrams per day. For breast-feeding females 19 years of age and older, the RDA for zinc is 12 milligrams per day.
Tolerable Upper Intake
Tolerable upper intake is the highest dosage of zinc that a person can tolerate before he is at risk of copper deficiency – one of the effects of zinc overconsumption. From birth to the age of 6 months, the tolerable upper intake, or UL, of zinc is 4 milligrams per day. From 7 to 12 months of age the UL for zinc is 5 milligrams per day. From 1 to 3 years of age, the tolerable upper intake of zinc is 7 milligrams per day. From 4 to 8 years of age the UL for zinc is 12 milligrams per day. From 9 to 13 years of age the UL for zinc is 23 milligrams per day. From 14 to 18 years of age the UL for zinc is 34 milligrams per day. From the age of 19 and up, the UL for zinc is 40 milligrams per day.
Toxicity
There is good reason to stay within the recommended dosages for this mineral. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, zinc overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. Chronic overconsumption of zinc can deplete your body’s supply of essential copper, weaken your immune system and lower your levels of healthy HDL cholesterol.
Cold Remedy Dosage
Zinc is sometimes used for treating of the common cold. Zinc lozenges and zinc syrup, available at pharmacies and natural foods stores, can help decrease your cold symptoms if you take them within one day of first experiencing symptoms. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, however, the proper dosages of zinc for fighting colds has not been determined, and more research is needed before a correct dosage for this particular cold remedy can be recommended.
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