Dietary Reference Intakes: Zinc

Special Note

[recommendations reflect elemental zinc intake from all sources]

Info: vegetarians may require 50% greater zinc intake

General Information

[salt form conversion]

25 mg zinc acetate = 7.5 mg elemental zinc

50 mg zinc gluconate = 7 mg elemental zinc

220 mg zinc sulfate = 50 mg elemental zinc

[primary functions]

component of multiple enzymes in protein structure maintenance and gene expression regulation

[selected sources]

oysters, beef, crab, lobster, beans, nuts

Dietary Reference Intake

[0-6 mo]

2 mg/day; Info: total intake >4 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[7-11 mo]

3 mg/day; Info: total intake >5 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[1-3 yo]

3 mg/day; Info: total intake >7 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[4-8 yo]

5 mg/day; Info: total intake >12 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[9-13 yo]

8 mg/day; Info: total intake >23 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, females]

9 mg/day; Info: incr. to 12 mg/day if pregnant, 13 mg/day if breastfeeding; total intake >34 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[14-18 yo, males]

11 mg/day; Info: total intake >34 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, females]

8 mg/day; Info: incr. to 11 mg/day if pregnant, 12 mg/day if breastfeeding; total intake >40 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects

[19 yo and older, males]

11 mg/day; Info: total intake >40 mg/day associated with incr. adverse effects