Risk of Zinc Poisoning and Other Health Problems from Products with Zinc
People should make sure they are aware of the growing number of products that have begun to add zinc as an ingredient to cure a wide variety of ailments and fortify the body against disease. The presence of zinc in Zicam nasal spray has been linked to permanent loss of smell in consumers who thought they were using a safe cold remedy, and the levels of zinc contained in several popular denture cream adhesives has caused many users to suffer debilitating neurological damage caused by zinc poisoning. Many consumers remain unaware of the damagers that can be posed by zinc.
A wide variety of products, such as lozenges, nasal sprays, denture creams and other consumer products, are now containing zinc. While the benefits of zinc are being debated, the health risk posed by too much zinc entering the body can cause real long-term damage. A story last month in the Los Angeles Times highlights how many people are taking products that contain large amounts of zinc, which could put them at risk for zinc poisoning and serious health problems.
In June, the FDA issued a warning that zinc-based Zicam nasal sprays and gels were causing consumers to lose their sense of smell, a condition known as anosmia. As a result a Zicam recall was issued by the manufacturer, Matrixx Initiatives Inc., for all of the nasal spray and gel versions of the over-the-counter cold remedy.
Although the company claims that the products are safe, the FDA uncovered about 800 complaints about Zicam problems experienced by users, which Matrixx Initiatives failed to turn over to federal regulators as required by law. In addition, a medical study in October confirmed that zinc in Zicam nasal products could cause damage to olfactory nerves. Users throughout the United States who have suffered loss of their sense of smell or taste are now pursuing Zicam lawsuits as a result of the manufacturers failure to adequately test the impact of their product and warn about the risk of injury.
Excessive intake of zinc has also been linked to health problems with denture cream adhesives, such as GlaxoSmithKline’s Super Poligrip and Proctor & Gamble’s Fixodent. A number of Super Poligrip lawsuits and Fixodent lawsuits have been filed by users of the popular denture cream who suffered zinc poisoning, resulting in a variety of permanent and debilitating injuries, such as neuropathy, myelopathy, anemia, bone marrow failure, and damage to the central nervous system.
While zinc deficiency is a major problem that can lead to loss of eyesight, memory and a less effective immune system, many people do not realize how much zinc they are taking due to the inclusion of the metal in a number of different products. In addition to zinc absorbed in a normal diet, it is also often found in supplements and cold lozenges. It has even been found in water supplies which move water through galvanized pipes that leach zinc into the water.
The recommended daily allowance of zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women, with 40 mg being the maximum amount of zinc that can be safely tolerated by the human body per day. But some products, such as denture creams, have been found to expose users to levels of zinc exceeding 300 mg per day when large amounts of the adhesive are used to keep ill-fitting dentures in place.
Some zinc lozenges have 13 milligrams of zinc. The average zinc supplement contains 50 milligrams, and even some cereals have as much as 15 milligrams, all of which exceed the recommended daily intake. As a result, the amount of zinc can quickly add up without consumers realizing it, leading to long-term and potentially permanent, health problems.
ZINC POISONING LAWYERS
The product liability lawyers currently represent individuals throughout the United States who are pursuing a Zicam lawsuit over loss of smell caused by the use of nasal spray or gel containing zinc. Potential zinc poisoning lawsuits are also being pursued for users of Fixodent or Super Poligrip denture cream, who ingested excessive amounts of zinc as a result of the manufacturers failure to warn about the levels contained in their product and failure to provide adequate instructions on proper use.
To review a potential claim with our zinc poisoning lawyers, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
7 Comments • Add Your Comments
PAT says:
OK DENTURE AND COLDS BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE ZINC IN BABY PRODUCTS – DIAPER RASH PRODUCTS – HAS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NO ONE ADDRESSES THIS/ WHY NOT?
Posted on December 29, 2010 at 7:24 pm
drew says:
There is a large issue than smell, and it needs to be addressed. Zinc Toxicity stops the bodies abliaty to process copper, calcium, and other trace elements.
I would like to focus on the copper(A.K.A) Copper Defiency aspect of zinc toxicty. Copper controls several different fuction of the human body to keep us healthy. One, and mabey the most import use of copper in the body,, is the shealthing at the end of the neurons. This helps the electrical pulse flow through the body.
One can only think the if the nervous system is comparemized, and the electrons are not bieng transmitted properly, that long term cronic problems will arise.
I know that smell is very important, but with out a nervous system, smell would be the least of my worries.
Posted on February 28, 2011 at 6:21 am
helen says:
The nervous system,eyesight disorder,sleep disorders, I just wonder could this be related or linked to fibomyalgia? We know not where this diease orginates and surely you can see the similarities. I suffer from fibromyalgia.
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Kevin says:
What about daily migraines and I mean daily. I use fixadent have for about 5 years or more. OMG THIS IS CRAZY !
Posted on November 3, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Beverly says:
Helen,I also have fibromyalgia and couldn’t stand up srtaight for many years,cymbalta 90mg has changed my life for the better in this area.
Kevin…in the early and mid 90’s I had DAILY migraines so severly docs thought I’d have a sroke…years went by and I would think of suicide a lot.The pain and vomiting was awful and no way to live. I was so desperate I tried something bizzare that had appeared in Ann Landers.
I sat up and put a banana peel on the back of my neck…kept this up and they went away! I still have migraines occasionaly but not to the severity as before. Whether fibro or migraines has anything to do with zinc I don’t know…I do use adhesive with no zinc tho just in case! Hope in some small way this helps… if just to know you’re not alone out there!!
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Lynn says:
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007 and also suffer from severe neuropathy to bilateral upper and lower extremities. Was also told I have a myleoproliferative disorder after getting bone marrow biopsy. And I too have used fixodent for years, as much as 2 large bottles of the extrahold powder per month. Could this have been prevented?
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:40 am
Sherry says:
I have been using fixodent for 25+ years . I have been suffering from stomache issues that the doctors can not figure out . I also suffer from migraines , sleep difficulty , lack of smell, lack of taste. I have been in the emergency room several times for issues with my stomache . I have also been told that I have a fatty liver . wondering if this could also be from the zinc use.
Posted on March 5, 2021 at 1:17 pm