Zinc is a mineral involved in many processes in the body: it participates in the creation of DNA, building proteins, healing tissues, strengthening immunity and many other processes.
Therefore, zinc deficiency, although rarely encountered, can affect us in several ways. Find out further all about zincwhat are the symptoms of zinc deficiency and what factors cause it.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency
The lack of zinc can be felt only after a few months of deficiency, and the signs that indicate this fact are:
In the beginning, zinc deficiency has mild symptoms, which can be confused with the symptoms of other conditions: frequent colds, loss of appetite. The skin may experience eczema-like changes that do not improve with moisturizers, steroid creams, or lotions.
If the deficiency is not identified, the affected person may experience hair loss, diarrhea, frequent infections and slow wound healing.
In some cases, sexual dysfunction may occur, and asthma sufferers may complain of worsening symptoms.
Possible causes of zinc deficiency
The risk factors that can reduce the amount of zinc in the body are:
• gastrointestinal conditions (eg Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• excessive alcohol consumption
• sickle cell disease (a form of anemia)
• diabetes
• cystic fibrosis
• kidney diseases
Also, people who have a vegan or vegetarian diet can face various vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including zinc.
Last but not least, the administration of iron supplements, diuretics, antibiotics and penicillamine can interfere with the absorption of zinc in the body.
What is the daily zinc requirement?
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of zinc differs by gender: men need 11 mg of zinc per day, while women need 8 mg.
Zinc is especially important during periods of growth, i.e. in childhood, adolescence, but also during pregnancy, that is why the amount of zinc required increases in the case of pregnant or breastfeeding women, reaching 11 mg and 12 mg of zinc per day, respectively.
How to treat zinc deficiency
First, we should make sure that our diet is varied and includes foods rich in zinc, such as red meat, pork and chicken, oysters, seafood (crab and lobster), fish, beans, nuts , dairy products (cheese and yogurt).
In cases where the diet does not provide the daily requirement of zinc, they can be administered zinc supplementsto ensure the optimal functioning of the body, especially in case of pregnancy and convalescence.
Zinc deficiency is diagnosed through history and specific blood tests. Depending on the results, the doctor will offer a personalized treatment. To prevent zinc deficiency, it is recommended to follow a varied diet that would include meat, dairy and seafood, but also to supplement with zinc in specific cases (pregnancy, digestive diseases).
2024-01-23 06:03:00
#symptoms #zinc #deficiency #Heres #pay #attention
