Zinc Carnosine Side Effects

The simple answer to what the side effects if zinc carnosine are is short--none. Dr. Hilda Maldonado, a board certified specialist in internal medicine, writing for a 2003 edition of "Applied Nutritional Science Reports," says zinc carnosine relieves dyspeptic gastric symptoms and intestinal mucosal disorders with no significant side effects, and is well tolerated in prescribed doses. However, excess use can lead to overdoses of both zinc and carnosine, with side effects ranging from mild to severe.

Zinc Carnosine

Maldonado reports that 25 to 40 percent of Americans report suffering indigestion, with heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, and bloating at least once every year. Zinc carnosine has been prescribed by physicians in Japan since 1994 for indigestion and healing of the gastric lining. The combination of zinc and carnosine is three times as effective as zinc sulfate or carnosine alone. Carnosine is a dipeptide, a protein fragment, made of two amino acids, beta-alanine and histidine. According to a 2001 U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, report, the recommended daily dose of 75 mg of zinc carnosine will produce a dietary intake of 17 to l 8 mg of zinc, and 57 to 58 mg of L-carnosine.

Zinc Side Effects

Side Effects of Zinc Lozenges

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Excess zinc carnosine can produce a zinc overdose. Zinc is a metallic mineral, essential for life, found in some foods, and added as a dietary supplement to others. You can also buy zinc cold lozenges and as over-the-counter nutritional support. Zinc, according to the U.S. Office of Dietary Supplements, is important in many aspects of cell metabolism, catalyzes the activity of about 100 enzymes, promotes immune functions, wound healing, protein and DNA synthesis. You also need zinc for your sense of taste and smell. Your body can not store zinc, so intake must be constantly balanced between under- and over-dosing. Zinc toxicity leads to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headaches. Side effects of overdose may occur within 30 minutes of ingestion. Intake of 150 to 450 mg of zinc per day can alter necessary copper and iron metabolism, disrupt immune function, and reduce your "good" HDL levels. Even much lower zinc intakes of 60 mg per day can produce these effects after 10 weeks. Doses of 80 mg per day for a few years can disrupt urinary and kidney functions. These doses far exceed the FDA recommended daily dose of 17 to 18 mg of zinc in 75 mg of zinc carnosine per day.

Carnosine Side Effects

Carnosine is considered very safe, according to Ultimate Fat Burner.com, with few side effects when used within recommended dosage guidelines. Children taking carnosine to treat autism symptoms may become more hyperactive, though it may simply relate to increased activity as autistic symptoms lessen. Carnosine is a popular body-building dietary supplement which enhances muscle strength and quickness. Even in extremely large doses, side effects are not noted.