Why should increased doses of zinc be taken during illness?
At the time of illness, it is recommended to use increased doses of zinc. Up to 100 milligrams of zinc per day is safe at this time. However, they should be taken in low doses – every hour or two.
Why the dose of zinc is increased during illness
Immunomodulatory action. Zinc plays a key role in the formation and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells:
- enhances the activity of T-lymphocytes, which destroy viral and tumor cells;
- promotes the production of interferons — proteins that suppress the replication of viruses;
- strengthens the barrier function of mucous membranes (especially the respiratory tract), reducing the risk of pathogen entry.
Anti-inflammatory action. High doses of zinc suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6 and TNF-α), reducing systemic inflammation and the risk of a "cytokine storm" during severe infections.
Antiviral activity. Zinc directly inhibits the activity of RNA polymerases in many viruses (e.g., coronaviruses, rhinoviruses), slowing their replication inside the cell.
Antioxidant protection. During infection, the level of free radicals sharply increases. Zinc is a component of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which neutralizes these radicals and protects cells from destruction.
Safety of high doses
Short-term (up to 10 days) doses of up to 100 mg of elemental zinc per day are considered acceptable for treating acute conditions.
This refers to elemental zinc, not the mass of the salt (for example, 220 mg of zinc sulfate contains only 50 mg of elemental zinc).
With prolonged use >40 mg/day, copper deficiency may develop. Therefore, after the illness, it is important to reduce the dose or add copper (1–2 mg/day).
Why fractional intake of zinc is more effective
Ensuring stable concentration in blood and tissues. Zinc does not accumulate in the body and is excreted through the intestines and kidneys quite quickly. With a single high dose, the concentration in plasma increases only for a few hours.
Inhibition of viral replication — only with stable presence. Studies have shown that zinc slows the replication of RNA viruses (including coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, influenza) only with a stable presence in the cell. Periodic spikes (as with a single intake) are ineffective — zinc needs to continuously suppress viral polymerases.
Better absorption at lower doses. Zinc transporters in the intestines (ZIP1, ZIP4) become saturated quickly. When taking a large dose at once, only part will be absorbed, the rest will be excreted. However, with fractional intake (e.g., 10–15 mg of zinc every 1–2 hours), bioavailability is higher, and the overall effect is stronger.
Fewer gastrointestinal side effects. High single doses (especially 50+ mg) often cause nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Smaller doses taken frequently are better tolerated and do not irritate the stomach lining.
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