Excess of zinc

Zinc – the important biogenic element which is constantly present at cells of any organism. The body of the adult contains on average 1,5-3 g of this substance. Zinc mainly collects in a bone tissue, skin, hair, semen. It is impossible to revaluate importance of this element for the correct functioning of an organism, deficit and excess of zinc negatively are reflected on health of the person. The daily need for zinc averages 8-25 mg a day. Danger of excess of zinc, as metal, in water and food for the person low as it does not collect. But long consumption in food of high doses of this microelement can result in excess of zinc in an organism and to development of a number of adverse effects. The toxicity threshold for zinc makes 600 mg/day (according to professor A. Skalny), and a lethal dose – 6 g.

The reasons of excess of zinc in an organism

Even absolutely unbalanced food cannot result in essential excess of zinc in an organism. More often exceeding of normal concentration of this microelement at the person is provoked by reception of the medicines and dietary supplements containing excess of zinc in the structure. So signs of explicit chronic excess of zinc are revealed at the patients accepting more than 150 mg of a microelement a day. The packaging of products and drinks promoting formation of highly toxic compounds of zinc (sulfates, chlorides and oxides) can sometimes constitute danger. Separate cases of intoxication by zinc as a result of the use of the food stored in galvanized or completely zinc containers are so recorded. Poisoning with zinc and its connections perhaps and on production. Oxide, chloride and zinc sulfate are applied to receiving glass, by production of artificial fiber, zinc paints, ceramics, matches, dentist's plaster, in pulp and paper industry, to wood conservation, to a tinning and soldering etc. Excess of zinc in a firm state and in the form of dust is rather not dangerous. The big threat for acute poisoning or chronic excess of zinc is represented by its connections.

Symptoms of excess of zinc

Acute poisoning is caused by reception of rather high dose of a microelement at once. At the same time symptoms of excess of zinc in an organism appear in rather short terms. There can be nausea, vomiting, respiratory insufficiency, erosion mucous a stomach, depression of function of immune system. At poisoning with a zinc oxide through respiratory tracts there is a sweetish taste in a mouth, then the thirst, suffocation, dry cough pressing a stethalgia, drowsiness, a fever. At peroral receipt of excess of zinc in the form of salts there is a metal smack in a mouth, a burn mucous a digestive tract, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, spasms in gastrocnemius muscles, falling of arterial pressure. Fibrous regeneration of a pancreas can become a symptom of excess of zinc. Exceeding of normal figures of glucose of blood is often observed.

Chronic intoxication zinc can lead to an aggravation of symptoms of nails, skin, to a hair loss, weakening of functions of a prostate, pancreas, liver, development of various autoimmune diseases. At chronic excess of zinc digestion of copper, manganese, iron from food decreases and there is their secondary deficit. Delay of growth of bones due to decrease in their mineralization can become one of symptoms of excess of zinc in an organism. Weakening of tendon jerks and the progressing weakness can be symptoms of excess of zinc in blood. There are data on cancerogenic effect of zinc and its connections.

Treatment of the states connected a lot of zinc in an organism

At acute and chronic excess of zinc in an organism medical care is necessary. Treatment is more directed to elimination of symptoms of excess of zinc. At sharply arisen poisoning therapy is carried out permanently. As an antidote use Unithiolum. Rather chronic forms of excess of zinc in an organism today the crucial role is assigned to prevention.