Zinc Health
Zinc Deficiency Symptoms to Watch Out For
Zinc deficiency is more common than previously thought. In fact, you may be experiencing some zinc deficiency symptoms yourself. Zinc deficiency should be managed and treat as soon as it is diagnosed in order to prevent damage to your usual bodily functions.
You need to note that zinc is one of the most important minerals needed by the body. Though there is not a specific use of it (such as calcium for bones or iron for blood), it is known to facilitate in the production of hundreds of enzymes in the body, each of which is responsible for regulating bodily functions.
Importance of the Zinc Mineral
Zinc is one of the most important trace elements needed by your cells. It helps your immune systems, aids in protein synthesis, cell reproduction and wound healing, and plays a major role in fertility and conception, among others.
The importance of zinc can not be over-emphasized. Zinc is naturally present in various foods and it food sources such as meat, poultry, dairy products, beans, whole grains and nuts are rich in zinc. However, the body can only absorb about 30% of the zinc that we take in. Because of this nature of zinc absorption, zinc deficiencies happen to many of us.
Causes of Zinc Deficiency
Inadequate intake of zinc in the daily diet is the main reason why zinc deficiencies happen. It can also be promoted by increase in the losses of zinc from the body, such as when copper exposure is high, and when your body requirement for zinc increases for one reason or another (such as when lactating or pregnant). These conditions tend to occur more in the elderly, in mothers, and in young children. Gastrointestinal malabsorption can also lead to zinc deficiency symptoms.
Signs of Zinc Deficiency
The symptoms of zinc deficiency vary greatly from one person to another. What you will experience as a manifestation of zinc deficiency may not be felt by another who is just as deficient. Symptoms also tend to worsen and increase as your body reserves decrease with time. Here is a list of zinc deficiency symptoms for your reference:
• behavioral and sleep disturbances
• dandruff
• delay in wound healing
• diarrhea
• different kinds of skin lesions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne
• growth retardation
• hair loss
• hang nails
• hyperactivity
• increased allergic sensitivity
• inflammation of your nail cuticles
• inflammatory bowel disease
• loss of appetite
• loss of senses of taste or smell
• loss of sex drive
• mild anemia
• pre-eclampsia (toxaemia) in pregnancy and post-natal depression
• pre-menstrual syndrome, disturbance in your menstrual cycle
• reduced fertility
• skin dryness and rashes
• white spots on fingernails, transverse lines and poor nail growth
Zinc Deficiency Treatment
The most obvious treatment for zinc deficiency is increasing intake of foods rich in zinc content. It is best to take in oysters, nuts, peas, meat products, eggs, whole wheat grains, oats and pumpkin seeds. Also intake of vitamins such as vitamin A, E and B6, as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, can help in the absorption of zinc so it would be best to add these in your daily supplementation.
Severe zinc deficiency can be managed through intake of zinc supplements. They are now available in two forms: zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate, the doses of which range from about 15 to 300 milligrams. The chelated zinc form is most recommended. However, when taking these supplements, make sure that you are aware of the risks and interactions of high amounts of zinc.
Zinc Health
Zinc is very important in maintaining many of our bodily processes. As such, we need to make sure that we take the right amount of zinc in order not to deter these normal functions. If you find yourself deficient and experiencing zinc deficiency symptoms, you should quickly resort to treatment options (with advice from your doctor, of course).
Zinc deficiency is more common than previously thought. In fact, you may be experiencing some zinc deficiency symptoms yourself. Zinc deficiency should be managed and treat as soon as it is diagnosed in order to prevent damage to your usual bodily functions.
You need to note that zinc is one of the most important minerals needed by the body. Though there is not a specific use of it (such as calcium for bones or iron for blood), it is known to facilitate in the production of hundreds of enzymes in the body, each of which is responsible for regulating bodily functions.
Importance of the Zinc Mineral
Zinc is one of the most important trace elements needed by your cells. It helps your immune systems, aids in protein synthesis, cell reproduction and wound healing, and plays a major role in fertility and conception, among others.
The importance of zinc can not be over-emphasized. Zinc is naturally present in various foods and it food sources such as meat, poultry, dairy products, beans, whole grains and nuts are rich in zinc. However, the body can only absorb about 30% of the zinc that we take in. Because of this nature of zinc absorption, zinc deficiencies happen to many of us.
Causes of Zinc Deficiency
Inadequate intake of zinc in the daily diet is the main reason why zinc deficiencies happen. It can also be promoted by increase in the losses of zinc from the body, such as when copper exposure is high, and when your body requirement for zinc increases for one reason or another (such as when lactating or pregnant). These conditions tend to occur more in the elderly, in mothers, and in young children. Gastrointestinal malabsorption can also lead to zinc deficiency symptoms.
Signs of Zinc Deficiency
The symptoms of zinc deficiency vary greatly from one person to another. What you will experience as a manifestation of zinc deficiency may not be felt by another who is just as deficient. Symptoms also tend to worsen and increase as your body reserves decrease with time. Here is a list of zinc deficiency symptoms for your reference:
• behavioral and sleep disturbances
• dandruff
• delay in wound healing
• diarrhea
• different kinds of skin lesions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne
• growth retardation
• hair loss
• hang nails
• hyperactivity
• increased allergic sensitivity
• inflammation of your nail cuticles
• inflammatory bowel disease
• loss of appetite
• loss of senses of taste or smell
• loss of sex drive
• mild anemia
• pre-eclampsia (toxaemia) in pregnancy and post-natal depression
• pre-menstrual syndrome, disturbance in your menstrual cycle
• reduced fertility
• skin dryness and rashes
• white spots on fingernails, transverse lines and poor nail growth
Zinc Deficiency Treatment
The most obvious treatment for zinc deficiency is increasing intake of foods rich in zinc content. It is best to take in oysters, nuts, peas, meat products, eggs, whole wheat grains, oats and pumpkin seeds. Also intake of vitamins such as vitamin A, E and B6, as well as minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, can help in the absorption of zinc so it would be best to add these in your daily supplementation.
Severe zinc deficiency can be managed through intake of zinc supplements. They are now available in two forms: zinc sulfate and zinc gluconate, the doses of which range from about 15 to 300 milligrams. The chelated zinc form is most recommended. However, when taking these supplements, make sure that you are aware of the risks and interactions of high amounts of zinc.
Zinc Health
Zinc is very important in maintaining many of our bodily processes. As such, we need to make sure that we take the right amount of zinc in order not to deter these normal functions. If you find yourself deficient and experiencing zinc deficiency symptoms, you should quickly resort to treatment options (with advice from your doctor, of course).
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