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Is 20mg of zinc too much?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 07, 2026

A safe amount of zinc for long-term use is 20 to 40 mg per day along with 1 to 2 mg of copper. Higher amounts should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor.

Is 20 mg of zinc too much?

The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months. Don't use intranasal zinc. This form of zinc has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.

Can I take 20 mg of zinc a day?

Zinc 20 mg daily is the most common dose used. But doses of 5-10 mg also seem to work and cause less vomiting. An inherited disorder that causes copper to build up in many organs (Wilson disease). Taking zinc by mouth improves symptoms of this condition.

What is zinc 20mg used for?

Zinc is used by some people to help with the common cold or lung infections, malaria, or asthma. It may help with wound healing, ulcers, acne, and skin infections. Some people will use zinc to help with age-related problems like macular degeneration or Alzheimer disease. Others will use it to help with loose stools.

Is it OK to take zinc everyday?

Including zinc in your diet every day is okay, provided it is within the recommended daily allowance, which is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for adult men. Since zinc is a trace mineral, consumption of an excess amount can cause health problems.

28 related questions found

Can you take zinc and vitamin C together?

Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron and generally does not interfere or compete with other vitamins, so unlike taking calcium and magnesium — which compete with each other for absorption — you can safely combine vitamin C and zinc.

Is 25mg of zinc too much?

Health authorities have set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc at 40 mg per day for adults. The UL is the highest recommended daily amount of a nutrient. For most people, this amount is unlikely to cause negative side effects ( 1 , 2).

What is the best form of zinc to take?

The best form of zinc is chelated, which is absorbed well in the body.
...
Li recommends the following forms of chelated zinc, as they're generally well absorbed:

  • Zinc gluconate.
  • Zinc citrate.
  • Zinc picolinate.

Can too much zinc raise your blood pressure?

Conclusions: Excessive Zn intake may be a factor to elevate systemic BP levels in a normotensive state presumably through the oxidative stress caused by superoxide.

When should I take zinc morning or night?

Zinc supplement, if taken at night will be beneficial for the body in multiple ways. Zinc is involved in the production of at least 300 enzymes, helps in hundreds of body processes, from producing DNA to repairing cells and boosting immune system.

Can taking too much zinc be harmful?

Can zinc be harmful? Yes, if you get too much. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.

Is 30mg of zinc too much?

The ideal amount of supplemental zinc remains unknown, but some doctors recommend 30 mg two times per day. Long-term zinc supplementation requires 1–2 mg of copper per day to prevent copper deficiency.

Is 50mg of zinc too much for a woman?

50 mg per day is too much for most people to take regularly though, and can cause copper imbalance or even overdose. Best to get tested before taking this for months on end, or at the very least do a lot of research first.

What medications should not be taken with zinc?

Taking zinc with other medications can make them less effective.

  • Thiazide diuretics. Chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide can make you lose zinc through urine. ...
  • Antibiotics. Taking quinolone or tetracycline with zinc can make the medication less effective and prevent your body from absorbing the zinc. ...
  • Penicillamine.

How does zinc help the immune system?

Zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune system (10). Zinc is crucial for normal development and function of cells mediating innate immunity, neutrophils, and NK cells. Macrophages also are affected by zinc deficiency. Phagocytosis, intracellular killing, and cytokine production all are affected by zinc deficiency.

When is the best time to take vitamin D and zinc?

Many people prefer to take supplements such as vitamin D first thing in the morning. Not only is it often more convenient, but it's also easier to remember your vitamins in the morning than later in the day.

What is the best time to take vitamin C with zinc?

You can take vitamin C supplements at any time of day, with or without food, although taking ascorbic acid with foods can help decrease the potential gastrointestinal side effects caused by its high acidity ( 7 ).

Can zinc cause blood clots?

There is a lot of evidence linking zinc to blood clotting. Zinc is released from cells called platelets that control blood clotting, and scientists have found unwanted blood clots can form when zinc levels in the blood are faulty.

Is 15 mg of zinc safe?

For adults, the recommended daily dosage is typically 15–30 mg of elemental zinc ( 34 ). This amount can also be obtained by enjoying a variety of foods rich in zinc as part of a healthy diet, such as meat, poultry, seafood, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts, seeds, legumes, and dairy products ( 34 ).

Can I take vitamin D and zinc at the same time?

No interactions were found between Vitamin D3 and Zinc.

How much zinc is recommended?

The recommended dietary allowance for elemental zinc is 11 mg daily for men and 8 mg for nonpregnant women. The doses used in registered clinical trials for patients with COVID-19 vary between studies, with a maximum dose of zinc sulfate 220 mg (50 mg of elemental zinc) twice daily.

What are the disadvantages of zinc?

Disadvantage: Short-Term Side Effects

The upper tolerable limit for zinc is 40 milligrams per day, but much lower doses can cause temporary stomach discomfort, especially if taken on an empty stomach. Higher doses of zinc can lead to vomiting, headaches, diarrhea and exhaustion.

How long should you take zinc?

You should not take high doses of zinc for more than a few days unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor before taking more than 40 mg of zinc per day and take breaks from zinc supplementation. During those breaks, get zinc from a well-balanced diet.