NeuroTalk Support Groups - Denture Cream Use and Neuropathy

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Denture Cream Use and Neuropathy

Hello folks:

I thought some of you might be interested to discuss the emerging relationship between denture cream use and neuropathy. This link is becoming more clear as new research is performed.

*-* Over time, the use of denture cream results in the ingestion of large amounts of zinc, both through the gums and the stomach. These high levels of zinc cause the amount of copper in the bloodstream to plummet, eventually resulting in demyelination (damage to the outer sheath of nerve fibers), generally beginning in the extremeties. Symptoms also can include neurological/cognitive decline.

The bottom line: if you have used these products and are concerned about these issues, please discuss it with your physician. A blood and urine test can be performed to check the levels of zinc and copper in your body.

.*-*

Thanks and best wishes to you all.

-GWA

*-*

could you please PM me that information?

This is the other thread where we discussed this problem:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=poligrip

I searched again today, and found mostly lawyer sites with the original article on them repeated over and over.

There is this new anecdotal report on PubMed:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

And this paper..

Quote:

Neurology. 2008 Aug 26;71(9):639-43. Epub 2008 Jun 4.Click here to read Links

Comment in:
Neurology. 2008 Aug 26;71(9):622-3.

Denture cream: an unusual source of excess zinc, leading to hypocupremia and neurologic disease.
Nations SP, Boyer PJ, Love LA, Burritt MF, Butz JA, Wolfe GI, Hynan LS, Reisch J, Trivedi JR.

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-8897, USA. sharon.nations@utsouthwestern.edu

BACKGROUND: Chronic, excess zinc intake can result in copper deficiency and profound neurologic disease. However, when hyperzincemia is identified, the source often remains elusive. We identified four patients, one previously reported, with various neurologic abnormalities in the setting of hypocupremia and hyperzincemia. Each of these patients wore dentures and used very large amounts of denture cream chronically. OBJECTIVE: To determine zinc concentration in the denture creams used by the patients as a possible source of excess zinc ingestion. METHODS: Detailed clinical and laboratory data for each patient were compiled. Tubes of denture adhesives were analyzed for zinc content using dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Patients received copper supplementation. Copper and zinc levels were obtained post-treatment at varying intervals. RESULTS: Zinc concentrations ranging from about 17,000 to 34,000 mug/g were identified in Fixodent and Poli-Grip denture creams. Serum zinc levels improved in three patients following cessation of denture cream use. Copper supplementation resulted in mild neurologic improvement in two patients who stopped using denture cream. No alternative source of excess zinc ingestion or explanation for hypocupremia was identified. CONCLUSION: Denture cream contains zinc, and chronic excessive use may result in hypocupremia and serious neurologic disease.

PMID: 18525032 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

Looks like Poligrip has changed!
http://www.poligrip.com/whatsnew.aspx

You know I recall reading when this happened that the man who had the severe poisoning was EATING the Poligrip...
He liked the taste and was eating it besides using it as an adhesive.

There is this interesting article from 2003--before the first poisoning reports:

Quote:

Arch Neurol. 2003 Sep;60(9):1303-6.Click here to read Links

Comment in:
Arch Neurol. 2004 Apr;61(4):604-5; author reply 605.

Myelopolyneuropathy and pancytopenia due to copper deficiency and high zinc levels of unknown origin: further support for existence of a new zinc overload syndrome.
Hedera P, Fink JK, Bockenstedt PL, Brewer GJ.

Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. peter.hedera@vanderbilt.edu

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with idiopathic zinc overload without an identifiable source and secondary copper deficiency causing myelopolyneuropathy and pancytopenia. DESIGN: Case report. PATIENT AND RESULTS: A 46-year-old man presented with severe bone marrow suppression and subsequently developed progressive myelopathy with sensory ataxia. No identifiable cause of myelopathy was detected, and his neuroimaging findings were unremarkable. Plasma analysis demonstrated a low copper level and an increased zinc level (<10 micro g/dL [<12.6-18.9 micro mol/L] and 184 micro g/dL [28.2 micro mol/L], respectively; normal range for both, 80-120 micro g/dL [12.6-18.9 micro mol/L and 12.3-18.4 micro mol/L, respectively) and a low level of ceruloplasmin. There was no evidence for an external source of zinc. Daily oral supplementation with 2 mg resulted in the prompt reversal of hematologic abnormalities, improved but still subnormal plasma copper levels, and normalization of ceruloplasmin values. The patient's neurologic condition deteriorated further, with worsening of myelopathy and development of polyneuropathy. Analyses of plasma copper and zinc levels demonstrated persisting hyperzincemia and subnormal copper levels during 4 years of follow-up. Increased copper supplementation to 8 mg/d partially reversed his neurologic signs. A clinical investigation of 6 siblings and 1 surviving parent did not identify family members with similar abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent hyperzincemia without an identifiable external source appears to be a primary metabolic defect, while copper deficiency is a secondary phenomenon, causing hematologic and neurologic abnormalities. Two unrelated patients with similar idiopathic hyperzincemia and hypocupremia have been recently described. This suggests the existence of a new metabolic disorder with idiopathic zinc overload.

PMID: 12975299 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Articles

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12975299?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

So if there IS a zinc overload disorder (similar to iron overload--hemachromotosis) then that may explain things. But then maybe this 2003 report reflects denture cream, which was NOT considered?

I really wonder if Poligrip is manufactured in China FOR Glaxo?
I might call their toll free number to clarify that later today.
Most of Glaxo products are made in other countries.
I found this plant (which may be the ONLY one)
http://www.pharmaceutical-technology...jects/zebulon/

And it looks like the Zebulon plant is being reduced or phased out.
http://localtechwire.com/business/lo...story/2438435/

http://localtechwire.com/business/lo...story/2501033/

http://us.gsk.com/html/career/career...ss-global.html

Here is an interesting article about zinc ions and "colds".
http://www.coldcure.com/html/hand_3.html

Mrs. D:

Thanks for the detailed and informative post. You raise some interesting questions regarding the place of manfacture of these denture cream products. One wonders what the exact formula/ingredients of these products is and how the formulas may have changed over time. And, of course, WHY the formulas would have changed. One interesting possibility is that the formulas may have changed based on the company's knowledge of the neurological and/or other health issues related to zinc exposure.

Hopefully as these claims proceed to litigation, some or all of these questions will be answered.

Okay, no fair! This throws a monkey wrench in my MSG theory! :confused:
I've had dentures for 7 years, and use Fixodent. I do have small gums, so use very little, but still....

ADDITION:

This made me research myself. Found a link (provided by Fixodent at http://www.fixodent.com/questions-and-answers.php) that may help answer some questions about Zinc toxicity and safe values.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmouse (Post 467163)

There is a simple blood test for zinc/copper ratio you can have done. It is not expensive.

Zinc deficiency is very common. Many common medications...
stomach acid lowering drugs, long term antibiotic use, ACE inhibitors,
steroids, diuretics, hormones and birth control pills, actually DEPLETE zinc.

Vegetarians also become low in zinc, because phytates in vegetables complex
zinc out of the food, and prevent absorption. Low animal protein sources then
contribute since animal/seafood sources are the best sources of natural zinc.

ingredients for Fixodent...

Here is a link to Fixodent's ingredients:

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...ds&id=16003393

Looks like the same zinc polymer is used with it too.

Zinc is used in high doses for bed sores and other skin problems in nursing homes. Zinc Oxide oint is used for people wearing diapers..often in huge amounts.

The RX dose of zinc sulfate for bedsores is 220mg 3 or 4 times a day orally.

Zinc is far more likely to be deficient than toxic.

It will be interesting to see where this subject goes. So far only a few anecdotal reports exist for this particular subject.

Here is an interesting link to zinc/food sources:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/N...s/Q125692.html

This link has an interesting bibliography:
http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/con...ract/60/9/1303
it is the same article I copied to the other thread.

This article connects zinc overload to hemochromatosis (which is a fairly common genetic disease).
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40025340/
This is a UK site, and UK has a higher incidence genetically for hemochromatosis so that may be a factor.

mrsD, you are on top of the research!

I will post more information as I get it. We certainly will be obtaining a large number of documents as these cases proceed through litigation.

So what kind of denture cream is safe? Are there any without zinc or with very little?

There is a new Poligrip that is zinc free. It is called Super Poligrip Free.

And SeaBond liners are zinc free.

today's article about denture cream -neuropathy link

Thought you might be interested! The evidence is growing.
***

Scott William Weinstein of Morgan & Morgan in Ft. Myers, Fla., told the NLJ that long-term use of denture cream leads to zinc buildup and neurological problems because it binds to copper and removes too much of it from the body. Weinstein said his firm has begun to screen more than 3,000 potential cases. Meanwhile, a dozen cases are pending in federal courts in a variety of states.

link: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/06/05/...denture-cream/