The level of toxicity in zinc sulphate greatly depends on the amount of zinc found in the product itself. Zinc is an essential trace mineral that the human body needs in very small amounts. The body also does not store zinc, so it must be consumed daily through your diet.
During the digestion, zinc ions from food are released, leading to the absorption of zinc in the small intestine, and is then bound to albumin, a blood protein.
Common sources for zinc in foods can include red meat, poultry and fish. In some cases, people can experience zinc deficiencies, in which case they may take it in the form of a dietary supplement. But what are the effects of zinc supplements, especially long-term?
Possible Effects of Zinc Toxicity
Zinc toxicity is a term used to describe overexposure of over-ingestion of zinc, either because of diet or excess zinc supplementation to counter the effects of a condition like celiac disease which prevents the body from absorbing enough zinc. Toxicity may occur if you ingest more than 100mg of zinc per day, and can become acute if the dosage is increased to 200 mg per day.
Some symptoms of zinc toxicity can include:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Induced copper deficiency, which affects copper and iron levels
- Zinc-induced sideroblastic anemia
- In some cases, it may also affect cardiac functions
Zinc may also come into contact by inhalation or direct constant, though there are no reports of major side effects in these cases. With some zinc-based creams, for instance, it is possible to experience some irritation.
The Types of Zinc Supplements
Zinc supplements usually come in the form of zinc salts, which is an entire class of compounds where zinc molecules bind the other elements to create a neutral compound. This class can include several types of zinc salts, all used for different reasons:
- Zinc acetate – used for over the counter cold remedies
- Zinc gluconate – the most common form of zinc used in various cold remedies and nasal sprays
- Zinc sulphate – usually used to treat zinc deficiency
- Zinc chloride – used for the synthesis of cholesterol, protein, and fats
- Zinc oxide – used as an additive in many different products, such as cosmetics, rubbers, plastics, etc.
The level of zinc concentrations across these types of products can differ greatly, but if you are not exceeding the daily recommended dosage, it’s unlikely to experience zinc-induced toxicity.
Access A Steady Supply of Zinc Sulphate Now
Bisley is the zinc sulphate supplier best equipped to meet your demands when it comes both to quality and quantity.
If you wish to learn more about our offers, please reach out online, or call our team directly at +61 2 8905 4200.