Excessive intake of zinc impairs immune responses

R. K. Chandra

The effect of administration of large amounts of zinc on immune response and serum lipoproteins was examined. Eleven healthy adult men ingested 150 mg of elemental zinc twice a day for six weeks. This was associated with a reduction in lymphocyte stimulation response to phytohemagglutinin as well as chemotaxis and phagocytosis of bacteria by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Serum high-density lipoprotein concentration decreased significantly and low-density lipoprotein level increased slightly. The common food fad of zinc supplementation with resultant excessive intake could have deleterious effects in healthy persons.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

The effect of zinc supplementation in humans on plasma lipids, antioxidant status and thrombogenesis.
Hughes and Samman
J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2006;25:285-291.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Nutrients and Wound Healing: Still Searching for the Magic Bullet
Thompson and Fuhrman
Nutr Clin Pract 2005;20:331-347.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Does Zinc Supplementation Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer?
Jarrard
Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:102-103.
FULL TEXT  

RESPONSE: Re: Zinc Supplement Use and Risk of Prostate Cancer
Leitzmann and Giovannucci
JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96:1108-1109.
FULL TEXT  

Dietary Zinc Alters Early Inflammatory Responses during Cutaneous Wound Healing in Weanling CD-1 Mice
Lim et al.
J. Nutr. 2004;134:811-816.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc intake of US preschool children exceeds new dietary reference intakes
Arsenault and Brown
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003;78:1011-1017.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc Supplement Use and Risk of Prostate Cancer
Leitzmann et al.
JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst 2003;95:1004-1007.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trace Elements and Host Defense: Recent Advances and Continuing Challenges
Failla
J. Nutr. 2003;133:1443S-1447.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc-Altered Immune Function
Ibs and Rink
J. Nutr. 2003;133:1452S-1456.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Infection and Quality of Life: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Barringer et al.
ANN INTERN MED 2003;138:365-371.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect of zinc on the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children: a randomized controlled trial
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2002;76:805-812.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Effect of Five-Year Zinc Supplementation on Serum Zinc, Serum Cholesterol and Hematocrit in Persons Randomly Assigned to Treatment Group in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 7
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group
J. Nutr. 2002;132:697-702.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc and Copper Intakes and Their Major Food Sources for Older Adults in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII)
Ma and Betts
J. Nutr. 2000;130:2838-2843.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Thiol-Reactive Metal Compounds Inhibit NF-{kappa}B Activation by Blocking I{kappa}B Kinase
Jeon et al.
J. Immunol. 2000;164:5981-5989.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Therapeutic Application of Zinc in Human Immunodeficiency Virus against Opportunistic Infections
Mocchegiani and Muzzioli
J. Nutr. 2000;130:1424S-1431.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc and the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis Revisited
Jackson et al.
J. Nutr. 2000;130:1512S-1515.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Impact of Trace Elements and Vitamin Supplementation on Immunity and Infections in Institutionalized Elderly Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Girodon et al.
Arch Intern Med 1999;159:748-754.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Zinc deficiency decreases plasma level and hepatic mRNA abundance of apolipoprotein A-I in rats and hamsters
Wu et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 1998;275:C1516-C1525.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Care and Feeding of the Immune System
Burch
Complementary Health Practice Review 1995;1:187-189.
ABSTRACT