Research

Micronutrients & recovery

Excessive intake of protective trace elements (zinc, fluoride, magnesium, iron) can have undesirable, even toxic, effects on bone health.

Do not exceed recommended doses of zinc or fluoride. High doses of zinc can cause toxicity, especially if you lack copper, and high fluoride can make bones fragile. Stick to the recommended daily allowances unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
However, excessive intake of protective elements (zinc, fluoride, magnesium, iron) can also have undesirable effects... long-term administration of very high doses of zinc, particularly if the patient also has an existing copper deficit, can lead to chronic zinc toxicity... supranutritional or pharmacological intake of fluoride (50 mg daily) even lead to the formation of huge crystals of hydroxyapatite in bone matrix and subsequently to an increase of bone fragility.
I Žofková et al. · Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) · 2013

Why this rating

The paper cites specific toxicological studies (fluorosis, zinc toxicity) with clear adverse outcomes.

Source

Trace elements and bone health

I Žofková et al. · Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) · 2013

narrative_reviewCited 175×
Read the paper

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →