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Q. What is the story about the toxic effects of zinc in denture creams?
A. Too much zinc, whether from dental adhesives or taken as a supplement, can lead to a copper deficiency. The possible consequences are anemia and neurological problems.
Lisa Sanders, MD, described a case in the New York Times Magazine (Sept. 6, 2009) in which a 64-year-old woman overused denture cream. Her balance was affected along with the strength in her legs. She was almost unable to walk.
Her doctors were puzzled but when they discovered that she had super-high levels of zinc and almost no copper in her bloodstream, they tracked the problem to the adhesive she used to keep her ill-fitting dentures in place.
GSK, maker of Super PoliGrip, has reformulated its denture adhesive cream. The company urges consumers to look for the zinc-free product. The FDA is working with other manufacturers to reduce the risk that consumers might be exposed to excessive levels of zinc in their denture creams.
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Thanks for this important information. I use denture adhesives. Although I don't use an excessive amount, I've been using them for 21 years and have often wondered about the safety of their ingredients. Since zinc has been recommended for getting rid of smelly foot odor, several years ago I tried taking zinc supplements. After many months with no noticeable improvement, I stopped taking it. I'm certainly glad now that I did.
The People's Pharmacy provides a great service and I've enjoyed listening to your program for several years. I also contribute to WUNC because the news and programming is invaluable; I can't get it anywhere else. Thanks again.
Zinc is also helpful - What are the guidelines for taking zinc supplements?
What about zinc oxide used in diaper rash products - I used it almost 40 years ago - as a diaper rash prevention - first applied caldecene powder and then zinc oxide over that - my baby had diaper rash only once - when he was in the care of someone else - but now there could be a problem ???- I'd like to know more.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY PROBLEMS USING ZINC OXIDE FOR BABY DIAPER RASH; THE PROBLEMS WITH DENTURE CREAMS SHOWED UP ONLY WITH OVERUSE FOR A FAIRLY LONG TIME.
Zinc use sounds as if it may be one of the causes of my anemia and loss of balance, my physician didn't pick up on it, though she is very thorough. I can reduce the zinc but how do I build up the copper?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: DROPPING THE AMOUNT OF ZINC YOU GET WILL ALLOW YOUR BODY TO RESTORE THE COPPER. DO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
Wow! This gives me a clue to a problem I have been having. My legs have been very weak and doctors have been trying to find a cause. Nobody has checked my copper. I have been taking zinc suppliments for prostate problems and eating zinc rich foods. I am now stopping the suppliments and eating raw cashews and raw sunflower seeds for some extra copper.
I will still eat bananas and other zinc rich foods but am making sure I get some copper now. Some foods are especially rich in copper including most nuts (especially brazils and cashews), seeds (especially poppy and sunflower), chickpeas, liver, oysters, crimini mushrooms, turnip greens and blackstrap molasses.
Hopefully this will help me and possibly others.
Does denture powder have zinc as an ingredient? If so, is it a problem the same as cream?
I want a zinc free extra hold powder. Is there any? thanks