Zinc is an essential mineral for your health. It plays a role in:

Of all the trace minerals, only iron is found in higher concentrations in the body.

Yet even though zinc is important for your health, you can still get too much of it.

"The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc, meaning the highest recommended daily amount, is 40 mg per day," says Dr. Jeffrey Gladd, an integrative medicine physician and chief medical officer at Fullscript.

Read on to learn the signs of a zinc overdose, how to get treatment, and what you can do to get the recommended daily amount of zinc.

A zinc overdose can involve different symptoms, depending on whether it's acute or chronic.

An acute overdose means you ingest a large amount of zinc in a short period of time.

Symptoms of an acute overdose usually won't appear until you ingest one to two grams of zinc, and Gladd says you don't need to worry about getting too much zinc from your diet.

A zinc overdose typically happens as a result of:

Symptoms of acute zinc overdose might include:

A zinc overdose can be life threatening. If you suspect you may have consumed too much zinc and have symptoms of an overdose, you'll want to contact 911 or a poison control center for emergency medical support, Gladd says.

The treatment for oral zinc overdose may include:

A chronic overdose means you've regularly consumed too much zinc over a longer period of time.

Chronic zinc overdose can occur when you ingest anywhere from 150-450 milligrams (mg) of zinc per day.

This generally happens as a result of taking too many zinc supplements, but using large amounts of zinc-containing denture creams can also expose you to excess zinc.

The symptoms of chronic excess zinc can affect your whole body and may include:

If you've taken more than the daily recommended amount of zinc for more than a few days and notice any of the above signs and symptoms, you should stop taking any supplemental zinc and check in with your doctor. Depending on how much zinc you've taken, and for how long, they may recommend treatment.

If you eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of zinc-containing foods, you likely don't need to supplement with extra zinc, Gladd says. This means, of course, you won't run the risk of getting too much zinc.

Foods that contain plenty of zinc include:

However, certain groups of people are more likely to have a zinc deficiency, including:

"If you're concerned about zinc levels, the best option is to get a zinc blood test. They are relatively inexpensive and allow you to get quick, accurate results," says Daniel Powers, herbal medicine expert and founder of the Botanical Institute.

Keep in mind it's always important to ask a healthcare professional before taking any supplement especially zinc, which you can easily overconsume.

The FDA doesn't regulate supplements, so it's important to check with your doctor if you're unsure about how much of any supplement to take. Opting for supplements that have undergone third-party testing can also help you ensure you get the supplement you want, in the advertised amount.

If you choose to supplement, keep in mind that experts recommend consuming no more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of zinc:

Zinc requirements for children and teens range from 2 mg to 11 mg per day, depending on age. If you think your child may not get enough zinc from their diet, it's best to ask your pediatrician about the correct dose.

Although you need zinc to maintain good health, you can take too much and excess zinc can have serious health consequences. If you've taken more than the daily recommended dose of zinc, you should get medical attention right away.

In most cases, a varied diet will provide enough zinc, and many people don't need to supplement. However, if you eat a limited diet, are pregnant or lactating, or have a health condition that affects zinc absorption, you may have a higher risk of zinc deficiency.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional can offer more guidance on how much zinc you should take for optimal health.

More here:
Zinc side effects: Signs of overdose and how to treat it - Insider