i just watched a news report on my local abc news. it was about toxic levels of zinc in Polly Grip.

there have been law suits agaisnt the company already.

has anyone heard of this?

i'm going to try and link to the story. i am on dial up..so bare with me.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dw....96905d65.html


More claims of denture cream poisoning


10:38 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 22, 2007


By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA-TV


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An estimated 35 million people use denture adhesives, especially when they wake up and after they eat.
But now, another North Texas man claims it poisoned him and he said he believes others may also unknowingly be exposed to danger in a tube.
Gerald Elliott, of Ellis County, can barely walk on his own.
"The problem with my feet is they're almost totally dead," he said. "I [can] hardly feel."
Elliott makes his way through his small cabin by grabbing onto the walls.
"I'm able to hold on to everything, I've got a post here and there almost like a chimpanzee," he said.
After years of increasing discomfort and declining health, Elliott went to the doctor and was diagnosed with neuropathy: nerve damage.
"And [the doctor] diagnosed me with zinc toxicity; and I didn't believe it," he said.
But a second opinion confirmed it.
After months of ruling out other factors, medical records showed high levels of zinc in his system attributed to SuperPoligrip.
He's not alone.
Last year, News 8 profiled JD Jackson, who said he also suffered neuropathy linked to zinc toxicity from Super PoliGrip.
News 8 learned of at least two lawsuits filed against GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Super PoliGrip, for the same problem. At least one of those suits was settled out of court with a confidentiality agreement.
Denture cremes were approved more than 30 years ago as a "Class 1 medical device" according to a statement by the FDA. Class 1 medical devices are considered low-risk and are not required to list the ingredients on the label.
Denture adhesives also come with no warning.
GlaxoSmithKline admitted zinc is one of SuperPoligrip's primary ingredients. In a statement, GSK said the risk of zinc poisoning is "minimal" when the product is "used as directed."
But Baylor College of Dentistry Dr. Charles Wakefield said the vast majority of people who use over-the-counter denture creams do so because they have poorly fitting dentures, which often means they use much more product than recommended.
"And for those people, that's exactly correct, and there's a huge market for that," Dr. Wakefield said.
Dr. Wakefield said the mouth's membranes absorb minerals and medicines better than anywhere else in the body. So, it's entirely possible that many people are soaking in more zinc through their gums than they should.
"Sure it's all possible," said Dr. Wakefield when asked if possible zinc poisoning has been mistaken for something else. "But, what needs to be done is a really good, thorough, well-controlled study needs to be done to rule it in or out."
Since discontinuing use of Super PoliGrip, Elliott claimed his zinc levels have returned to normal; but the effects are permanent.
"I'm just a common ol' boy, but it was hard for me to believe that something that simple could cause so much damage," he said.
He's suing the company. He said his ultimate isn't to punish the company, but warn other denture wearers of a potential risk.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com

At the same time, would penicillin pass current FDA Standards? The 'process' changes and if WE don't report s/e's to mfr and to the FDA...only complain...who's gonna know? Best in my book to get it on records.

Most of us over 40+ seem to have become or simply are more sensitive to lots of stuff...I just wonder where/if there are connections.

I've lots other stuff to worry about and research now, I'll try to include this in the menu of 'to be done's' '

-j

it just made m wonder about lots of stuff. since they don't have to put the list of ingredients on the box. kinda scary when you think about it.

to poison someone.

I can't look right now, but I will try and figure this one out.

I have a zinc thread on Vit forum with links to zinc information.

I am wondering if something else is in that PolyGrip?
I found this quickly at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...0183557AAE35f3

from GSK website:
from http://www.poligrip.com/faqs.aspx#free

Getting the ingredients themselves, may prove very difficult here.

I'll be back later...

mrsd, i'm going to email the guy at the tv station. they got the ingredients. they showed it on the news cast.

maybe because like what the dentist said:Dr. Wakefield said the mouth's membranes absorb minerals and medicines better than anywhere else in the body. So, it's entirely possible that many people are soaking in more zinc through their gums than they should.

OMG. I can't imagine. Something that's supposed to be safe and it causes permanent damage to the nerves. My heart goes out to this guy and the many others who've experienced this.

ETA: This also included Sea Bond brand as it seems, from the patent information, that Zinc is the primary adhesive ingredient. I've been using Sea Bond for almost 10 years. Looking for more information. This is scaring the hell out of me.

Yep, it uses Zinc also. I was hoping not as it's a pad type adhesive rather than a paste or powder type. I wonder what the levels, per item are, that is; a paste compared to the Sea Bond.

I would get some tests done.

Blood tests/urine tests for zinc. And perhaps a hair test too (it will show if long term issues exist for you). I would also suggest a zinc/copper ratio.
Elevated zinc levels are not typical, and doctors do not look for them. Elevated copper occurs in Wilson's disease (a genetic liver disorder).

I found another legal website..unfortunately no new information there yet:
http://www.schmidtandclark.com/Dentures/

This article has 3 accounts of zinc overuse. One man ATE a tube of PolyGrip a day...ate and swallowed excess, I guess because he liked it?

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/497023_1
Eating the paste would place the zinc in the small intestine where the active transporters are.
The second case was taking 600mg a day of zinc...and had no neuropathy. (he was young)

The discussion of low copper induced by zinc ingestion is on page 5. The paper is too long to copy here...but joining Medscape is free:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/497023_5
So it appears to be a low copper issue as well. Very low copper, induced by the excess zinc. There is mention in this article on page 5, certain drugs used (not common) and alcohol may be contributory to the low copper effects on the blood system.

And this article does state, that these are not common occurances. I suggest interested posters here read the whole 5 pages to get a full understanding of this situation.

I wondered if anyone that has used poligrip has suffered severe digestive problems. I have used it for about 4 years and since that time have went from a size 9 to a size 1. My weight is currently 90lbs. Have been treated for IBS, Ulcertive Colitis and lactose intolerance, but so far nothing has helped. In the last year I have went from someone who could eat almost anything and really enjoyed food, to no appetite and unable to digest most food. I just recently explored if polygrip could be the culprit to find out about the Zinc. When I looked up the symptons of Zinc poisoning, the first thing listed was digestive problems, including diarreah which I now have up to 15 times a day. Any help on this would be appreciated
Tag

Hello folks. THe link between denture cream use (zinc ingestion) and neuropathy is becoming clearer as more studies are done on this subject.

I have some information you may be interested in reviewing on the subject. Bottom line is that, if you ahve used these products, you should discuss this issue with your doctor, specifically whether you should be tested for zinc and copper levels in your body.

*-*

thanks and best wishes.

-GW*-*