Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 42 : Zinc

Requirements & Toxicity

Life stages	mg/day
Infants	-
Children	5 – 9
10-12 years	9-12
Adults Man Woman	12 10
Pregnancy	12
Lactation	12

Toxicity
High intake of zinc can be harmful to the human body. Excessive absorption of zinc into the human body can lead to reduced iron function, and may also damage the immune system. The major adverse outcome of long-term consumption of excessive zinc is copper deficiency, along with stomach ache, nausea, irritation and bad taste in the mouth.