Posted by Larry Hoover on November 29, 2002, at 11:32:37
In reply to Re: white spots on nails » Larry Hoover, posted by IsoM on November 29, 2002, at 0:10:11
> I'd like to caution people to be aware that while some zinc supplementation is good (if their diet's on the low side), too much isn't. Higher levels of zinc can interfere with the absorption of other minerals like magnesium, calcium, & even iron. Sucking zinc lozenges for colds gives far more than any one needs & conversely, too much zinc can weaken our immune system.
>
> I think 50 mg/day is the upper limit & 30 mg would be better. Don't get me wrong - zinc IS important but a deficiency is only one possible cause for white spots on nails & 50 mg is a little more than needed. After all, the RDA is only 15 mg, maybe a little low. It's not a nutrient like B vitamins that are water-soluble but too much zinc can unknowingly contribute to a magnesium definciency instead.Thanks for keeping my recommendations in line. I've long intuited a mineral malabsorption problem in myself, and perhaps I forget that others may not have a need for enhanced intake to counter reduced uptake. I'll try to be more careful in future.
Here's a pretty good review on zinc:
http://www.orst.edu/dept/lpi/infocenter/minerals/zinc/zinc.html
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:129774
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129898.html