Nations SP, Boyer PJ, Love AMF, Butz JA, Wolfe GI, Hynan LS, Reisch J, Tivedi JR. An unusual source of excess zinc, leading to hypocupremia and neurologic disease. Neurology. 2009; 73:(1)
Greenberg SA, Briemberg HR. A neurological and haematological syndrome associated with zinc excess and copper deficiency. J Neurology. 2008; 71:(1)
The body requires zinc in small amounts to remain healthy. Because the body balances zinc and copper, people who ingest excessive zinc have resulting dangerously low levels of copper. An acute zinc overdose itself may be toxic and chronic zinc ingestion results in bone marrow suppression and degeneration of the spinal cord, usually resulting in crippling nerve damage. It's been called ‘human swayback disease’. A case of a 54-year-old female whose nerve damage greatly reduced her mobility due to copper deficiency myelopathy as a result of the use of denture fixative cream is discussed.
Clinical Relevance: Many cases of mysterious nerve damage turn out to be caused by overuse of popular denture products, eg Fixodent. Thus we are encouraging patients to read the manufacturer's leaflet and follow the instructions carefully.
Article
Zinc is a mineral which the body requires in small amounts from the diet to remain healthy. It is essential for sustaining life. The body uses zinc-containing enzymes to regulate growth, promote fertility and to aid in digestion.
Zinc is also needed for nucleic acid synthesis. The body requires zinc in the tissues where new cell development takes place, such as the bone marrow, immune cells and the lining of the gut.
When zinc is consumed in large amounts it causes zinc poisoning and can also result in the depletion of copper and iron. An acute zinc overdose itself may be toxic and chronic zinc ingestion results in bone marrow suppression and degeneration of the spinal cord, usually resulting in crippling nerve damage. It's been called ‘human swayback disease.’1,2 It may also cause a widespread neuropathy. Excessive use of denture adhesive cream can result in the consumption, and so absorption of, excess zinc.1
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