Understanding the importance of Zinc, and the symptoms of its deficiency.

 



By: Dr. Sonam Bhatia, PhD

There is no doubt that every disease and ailment can be attributed to a mineral deficiency in the human body. Still, it is possible to achieve good health, glowing skin, and high immunity by eating zinc-rich foods.

 

What is Zinc Deficiency?

Zinc deficiency means that the body does not have enough Zinc stored in the body. Zinc is considered an essential nutrient necessary for proper immune function, wound healing, growth, and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence (1-2).

 

Summary: Improper levels of zinc in the body can cause a deficiency or an abundance of the mineral, both of which are harmful. Zinc is important for immune function and overall growth and development of the human body.

 

What does Zinc do for you?

Zinc is one of your body's most abundant trace minerals, second only to Iron, and is found in every cell. Zinc is required by over 300 enzymes, including those involved in metabolism, digestion, nerve function, and more. Therefore, this mineral is essential for the health of the skin, DNA, and protein synthesis. It also contributes to your sensory perception. Zinc deficiency can lead to an impaired ability to taste or smell (3).

 

Summary: Zinc plays a vital role in overall growth, metabolism, and sexual development, and its deficiency can cause a variety of physical ailments.

 

What are the symptoms of Zinc Deficiency?

The symptoms of zinc deficiency include growth retardation, loss of appetite, and impaired immunity in addition to the below mentioned possibilities:

 

· Hair-Loss

· Diarrhoea

· Delayed Sexual Maturation

· Impotence

· Hypogonadism in Males 

· Skin & Eye Lesions

· Cracked Skin

 

Children with low levels of zinc can experience delayed growth and development and delayed sexual maturation (4).

 

Summary: Deficiency in zinc can cause impaired growth, reduced appetite, and cracked skin along with several other health troubles.

 

 

What are the causes of Zinc Deficiency?

In general, zinc is not consumed by everyone in sufficient amounts to meet their daily dietary needs. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults over the age of 19 years is 11 mg a day for men and 8 mg a day for women. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, however, a woman's daily zinc intake needs to be slightly higher, at 11 mg - 12 mg a day. Zinc deficiency may occur when its intake falls below these suggested levels.

 

Zinc is best absorbed by the body when it is combined with protein, so vegetarians, vegans, and people with long-term restrictive diets may be more vulnerable to the toxicity of zinc. Further, people on restricted diets or exclusively breastfed babies over six months of age may also suffer from zinc deficiency. Certain medications (e.g., calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide etc) lead to a loss of zinc from urine and thus causes a deficiency. A new-born baby may suffer from zinc deficiency if he or she is born prematurely, very ill, or if the mother had a moderate zinc deficiency. A few studies have also shown that zinc deficiency can be caused by genetic factors (5).

 

Summary: People on restricted diets, vegetarians, and individuals consuming alkaline drugs are more susceptible to a zinc deficiency. Certain gene disorders can also lead to a zinc deficiency in humans.

 

Tips for preventing Zinc deficiency

Zinc can be consumed at a higher level by preparing and eating foods rich in zinc. Individuals can consume oysters, meat, and fish in their diet that are known to be rich in zinc. On the contrary, zinc is found in small amounts in cereals, legumes, dairy products, and seeds. Additionally, if your diet is inadequate in zinc, a supplement may be necessary in order to reach the minimum daily intake. 

 

Summary: Zinc is found in oysters, meat, and poultry. Whole grains and milk products also contain zinc.


Conclusion

Zinc is necessary to maintain overall health, growth, and synthesis of DNA. It can reduce inflammation and age-related ailments. In men, the RDA for zinc is 11 mg, and in women, it is 8 mg. Zinc supplements are crucial for the health of older people and those suffering from diseases that prevent zinc absorption.


Reference:

1. Zinc - Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov)

2. Hambidge, M., 2000. Human zinc deficiency. The Journal of nutrition, 130(5), pp.1344S-1349S.

3. Caulfield, L.E. and Black, R.E., 2004. Zinc deficiency. Comparative quantification of health risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors, 1, pp.257-280.

4. Classen, H.G., Gröber, U., Löw, D., Schmidt, J. and Stracke, H., 2011. Zinc deficiency. Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and therapy. Medizinische Monatsschrift fur Pharmazeuten, 34(3), pp.87-95.

5. Prasad AS. Zinc: an overview. Nutrition. 1995 Jan-Feb;11(1 Suppl):93-9. PMID: 7749260.

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