Conclusion: Zinc should continue to be recommended in children under the age of 10 years with acute or persistent diarrhoea, but moderate certainty of evidence concludes that the dose of zinc should be reduced. However, further multi-country randomised clinical trials are required with a direct comparison to assess the appropriate dosage, duration and adverse effects.
Zinc side effects
Across 1,594 first-hand reports, people mentioned a side effect 76 times (about 5 per 100 reports). The most common: nausea, stomach issues, vomiting. User reports show what people notice — they can't tell you whether Zinc is safe for you.
Reported side effects
nausea26
stomach issues13
vomiting9
copper deficiency8
vivid dreams8
brain fog7
diarrhea3
copper depletion2
What got worse for some people
In their own words
“I took zinc and copper high dosed and it did not raise my levels. Months now in.”
“supplement zinc and magnesium. But nothing seems to get me any benefit.”
“I tried so many things – L-Arginine, Citrulline, Zinc, Omega-3s, training, clean diet. Some things helped a bit, but nothing really fixed it.”
“When I supplemented zinc, it made my menstrual cramps excruciating... I felt cognitive benefits but I cant deal with that level of pain every month.”
“Whenever I feel sick and *almost* vomit due to taking Zinc...I feel super crisp and clear afterwards...It's most likely making you sick when you don't have much in your stomach.”
Is Zinc safe? What the research covers
AResearch: Strong220 meta-analyses · 555 randomized trials on PubMed
J Glob Health · 2024
Zinc supplementation for acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysisNutrients · 2024
Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisConclusion: Zinc supplementation is an effective and well-tolerated option for reducing pain severity in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Doses as low as 7 mg/day of elemental zinc are sufficient to achieve significant pain relief, with longer durations (≥8 weeks) enhancing efficacy. The favorable safety profile and ease of use support the consideration of zinc supplementation as a practical approach to managing primary dysmenorrhea.