Trace MineralsModerate

Zinc

Zinc is a moderate-risk supplement with an RDA of 11 mg and a tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 40 mg per day according to NIH/NASEM standards. CNS lists a RDA of 12.5 mg with the same UL; MHLW lists a RDA of 10 mg with the same UL. It has 3 known interactions with other supplements including copper, calcium, iron. Use NutriAudit to check if your supplement stack keeps this ingredient within safe limits.

Quick take

Zinc sits in the Trace Minerals category. This page consolidates 5 regional standards, and the limits vary enough that you should not treat one region's rule as universal.

It also has 3 known interactions, so the question is not just the label dose but whether the rest of your stack adds extra risk.

Taking multiple supplements? Check Zinc for overlap

If Zinc appears on two product labels, enter each daily amount and check the combined label total.

Check Zinc across my supplements

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Overdose Risk Warning

High zinc long-term can impair copper absorption and immune function.

Regional Reference Values

RegionOrganizationRDAUpper Limit (UL)Unit
🇺🇸 United StatesFDA1140mg
🇪🇺 EuropeEFSA1140mg
🇦🇺 AustraliaTGA1140mg
🇨🇳 China中国营养学会12.540mg
🇯🇵 JapanMHLW1040mg

RDA = Recommended Daily Allowance (adequate intake for most adults). UL = Tolerable Upper Intake Level; some authorities have not established one.

Known Interactions

Zinc + CopperModerate

High zinc intake can reduce copper absorption.

Maintain a 10:1 zinc to copper ratio.

Zinc + CalciumModerate

High doses of calcium may reduce zinc absorption.

Consider taking at different times.

Zinc + IronHigh Risk

Iron and zinc compete for absorption.

Take separately for better absorption.

How to use this page

First match your product label against the dose table above, then check whether the known interaction list includes anything in your current stack.

If you are taking multiple supplements, the safest approach is usually to audit the whole stack instead of judging a single bottle in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much Zinc is too much?

FDA lists a formal upper limit (UL) of 40mg per day for Zinc. Other regions may use a different value or have no established UL.

What is the recommended daily dose of Zinc?

The RDA for Zinc is 11mg per day for most adults. This amount is sufficient to meet the needs of 97-98% of healthy individuals.

Does Zinc interact with other supplements?

Yes, Zinc has 3 known interactions with other supplements. High zinc intake can reduce copper absorption.

Are you taking Zinc?

Check if your supplement stack keeps Zinc within safe limits.

Audit My Supplements

Disclaimer: NutriAudit is a decision-support tool designed to help you review your supplement stack for potential duplicate, conflicting, or excessive ingredients. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.

Uses cited public reference data where the current dataset has a verified entry.

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