[keep smilin]

Last evenings news had an alert about too much zinc could cause Neurological problems..it went on to say that people who use denture creme could be most at risk..I think it was " super polygrip".. that it very high in zinc and may be pulled from some stores..manufactureres are aware. Placing the cremme on dentures and then using it in access and in peoples mouths could be a culprit for neurological problems.... Anyone else hear this???

Hugz, Kathy

[mrsD]

Yes, we have discussed this at PN and Dental forums:

This is the dental thread, with the link to the long PN thread, which has alot of information on it.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread112747.html

It is quite rare to have zinc toxicity. This situation also creates low copper, and it may be the low copper that gives the neurological signs.

Until we get more medical information, it is only occuring in extreme cases who use excessive amounts of adhesive. There are now zinc free versions available too.

I will say, the lawyer who came on here to pick my brain asked me to email him, and we would "exchange" information. He never gave me one word after I emailed him. He was only interested in HIS side of the accusations. This tells me he has NO information and just pumped me for mine!

Considering the millions of people using the older formulas, we only have a handful of cases drummed up by the media and liability attorneys so far.

This is an example of the anecdotal type of reporting of this problem:

Nat Clin Pract Neurol. 2009 Feb;5(2):106-11.
When metals compete: a case of copper-deficiency myeloneuropathy and anemia.

Spain RI, Leist TP, De Sousa EA.

Thomas Jefferson University, PA, USA. spainr@ohsu.edu

BACKGROUND: A 47-year-old woman with an otherwise unremarkable medical history was referred to the multiple sclerosis clinic by her primary neurologist for evaluation of a 2-3 year history of progressive knee and back pain, weakness, paresthesias, sensory loss, ataxia, and falls. During the same period, she had received blood transfusions for unexplained anemia and leukopenia. She had been wearing dentures for many years. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, neurological examinations (assessments of reflexes, gait, proprioception, and sensitivity to temperature, pinprick and vibration), neurophysiological studies (visual and brainstem somatosensory evoked potentials, nerve conduction studies and electromyography), T(2)-weighted MRI of the brain and spine, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and serum evaluations. DIAGNOSIS: Myeloneuropathy and anemia due to copper deficiency, secondary to zinc overload associated with long-term use of denture cream with a high zinc content. MANAGEMENT: Change to a low-zinc denture cream and oral copper replacement.

PMID: 19194390 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Copper deficiency is not common either. But high dose zinc intake can cause it, because these two minerals influence each others absorption.

In fact a common blood pressure treatment (ACE inhibitors) block the absorption of zinc. So low zinc is far more common than the reverse. Steroids, diuretics, acid lowering drugs for GERD, HIV treatments, all lower zinc as well. So it is far more likely people are low in zinc than toxic with it.
So accurate numbers are not available yet, on this subject, and may take quite awhile to accumulate. The newer formulas without zinc were made in response to consumer questions, by Glaxo, anyway.

Edit to add: Here is a new article on this problem:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100218/...ure_cream_zinc

Many things over the counter can be misused. Last year a young
female athlete in NY overused BenGay for muscle pain, and died as a result. When that happened, I read a report that up til then 12 people have been recorded as dying from BenGay use during the last 40 yrs.

The attorneys for the plaintiffs are going to have to PROVE that any effects of their clients are due to the denture adhesive. This is going to be very difficult, IMO. The elderly often develop neuropathies due to other medical reasons, and separating that out may not be possible.
In fact, bed sores are treated with zinc at doses of 220mg 3 times a day by doctors! Time will tell.

[mellowguy]

I don't wear dentures..but, still good to know. I guess when it's time for the choppers to fall to the floor, I'll just switch to baby food.

[Imahotep]

Neurological problems are more likely to result from excessive mercury or lead. And it requires smaller amounts to be toxic. Many people don't realize that "silver" fillings in teeth are actually 50% mercury.

Pennies are zinc and can prove fatal if digested by mammals less than about 20 pounds. All it takes to digest one is a small flaw in the copper coating. A large percentage of pennies have such a flaw.

[mrsD]

Glaxo has been making a zinc free version of PolyGrip for about 2 yrs now. There are also SeaBond inserts that work well too.

Anyone concerned can have their doctor do a copper/zinc ratio and a zinc level blood test. It is easy and will settle your worries if you have them.

I think this issue is blown way out of proportion, and basically tied to over use of the product. The lawyers are pushing this to get some $$ from Big Pharma, IMO.

Just yesterday on TV and the internet are new warnings for
bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax. The literature has been pointing this way for a while now. Long term use of this family of drugs leads to fractures! Freak fractures of the thigh while walking normally. (no fall needed to break the bone)
Some fractures are also happening in the pelvis.