Everything That You Need to Know About Zinc Deficiency

Zinc is one of the most important minerals required in several processes of body. It helps in protecting the body from oxidative stress and also repairs DNA. Although zinc is easily available in food, research and studies suggest that approximately 3 billion people across the world fail to get sufficient zinc in their diet. In fact, in the United States, about forty percent of the elderly population and twelve percent of the general population are at an increased risk of zinc deficiency.

Who is at the risk of this deficiency?

According to the National Institute of Health, there are certain groups of individuals who are at increased risk of this deficiency including the following:

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  Alcoholics.
  


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  Infants who are above seven months and exclusively breastfed.
  


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  Vegetarians.
  


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  Individuals suffering from sickle cell disease.
  


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  Nursing and expectant women.
  


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  People suffering from gastrointestinal disorders and diseases such as short bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Individuals at increased risk of developing this kind of deficiency should eat a healthy diet that comprises of high zinc sources such as baked beans, cashews, whole grains, beef shank, yogurt, pork tenderloin, zinc-fortified breakfast cereals and oysters. Breastfeeding women should supplement their infant's diet with baby cereals that are rich in zinc. One should also consider zinc supplements for elderly people.

Interesting Facts about Zinc Insufficiency:

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  Phytic acids, found in high amounts in whole grains reduce the absorption of zinc.
  


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  A pilot study conducted by scientists and researchers at the Louisiana State University Medical Centre School of Medicine discovered that oral zinc administration given to subjects suffering from macular or drusen degeneration had considerably lesser visual loss as compared to the placebo group after a follow up period of a year or two.
  


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  Celiac disease may lead to zinc deficiencies.
  


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  Zinc levels are lower in female gymnasts as compared to male gymnasts. Rhythmic gymnasts have abnormally high rates of scoliosis, hyper mobility and delayed puberty. Zinc deficiencies in monkeys may lead to soft bones, a condition similar to rickets in humans.
  


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  Zinc is essential to male sex organ function and reproductive fluids. Oysters contain the highest zinc than any other food item.
  


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  In a research conducted on fish, it was discovered that zinc is necessary for the normal development of eye in juvenile Chinook salmon.

Few Symptoms of Zinc Insufficiency:

Symptoms of this kind of deficiency may include loss of appetite, impaired immune function and slow growth. In extreme cases, this deficiency may cause the following diseases:

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  Slow wound healing
  


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  Low insulin levels
  


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  Mental lethargy
  


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  Hypogonadism in males
  


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  Diarrhea
  


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  Loss of hair
  


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  Dry and rough skin
  


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  Skin lesions
  


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  Weight loss
  


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  Impotence
  


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  Impaired sense of taste or smell

According to recent studies and research conducted, even a minor deficiency of zinc can cause DNA damage. As many of the above mentioned zinc deficiency symptoms can occur due to a wide range of health conditions and should one should consult a doctor for the same.