Why does the body need zinc?
Zinc is part of enzymes involved in protein and DNA synthesis, so it is especially important where cells divide quickly: in the skin, mucous membranes, hair follicles, bone marrow, intestines and gonads. The work of immune cells and the ability to heal wounds depends on it. Zinc is needed for the perception of taste and smell, for normal vision at dusk, for child growth and puberty. It is precisely because of its wide participation in metabolism that its deficiency manifests itself in many, at first glance, unrelated symptoms.
- Wound healing and skin renewal
- The work of the immune system
- Perception of taste and smell
- Growth and puberty
- Protein synthesis and cell division
- Hair and nail health
Causes of deficiency
The most common reason is insufficient dietary intake. Zinc is best absorbed from meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, and in grains and legumes it is bound by phytates, which interfere with absorption. Therefore, people with a predominantly plant-based diet are at risk. The second group of reasons is losses and impaired absorption: Crohn's disease, celiac disease, chronic diarrhea, intestinal surgery, alcohol abuse, liver and kidney diseases. An increased need occurs in pregnant and lactating women, in children during the period of growth, with extensive burns and injuries.
- Little animal protein in the diet
- Phytates in grains and legumes interfere with absorption
- Bowel diseases and chronic diarrhea
- Alcohol abuse
- Pregnancy, feeding, child growth
- Burns, injuries, chronic wounds
- Taking high doses of iron and acid-reducing drugs
Symptoms
The picture consists of skin, immune and general signs. Dryness, peeling, rashes around the mouth, nose, eyes and folds, cracks in the corners of the lips appear on the skin, eczema and acne worsen. Hair thins, nails become brittle, and white spots may appear on them. Wounds and scratches take longer to heal than usual, and colds occur more often. Many people note a decrease in taste and appetite, which causes nutrition to deteriorate even more. In children, deficiency affects growth; in adolescents, it affects puberty.
- Rash and peeling around the mouth and nose
- Sticks in the corners of the lips
- Hair loss, brittle nails
- Slow wound healing
- Frequent infections
- Decreased taste, smell and appetite
- Stunted growth in children
What tests are needed
The main indicator is serum zinc, which is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. The result must be interpreted with caution: the level decreases with any inflammation, infection, after eating and with low protein levels in the blood, even if zinc reserves in the body are normal. Therefore, together with it, total protein and albumin, inflammatory markers and a general blood test are assessed. If a deficiency is confirmed, it is important to find the cause: check the intestines, rule out celiac disease, evaluate nutrition and taking medications that affect absorption.
- Serum zinc in the morning on an empty stomach
- Total protein and albumin
- C-reactive protein to assess inflammation
- Complete blood count and ferritin
- Bowel examination for chronic diarrhea
- Evaluating your diet with your doctor
Treatment and nutrition
Start with nutrition: Regular inclusion of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, nuts and seeds meets the needs of most people. Soaking and sprouting grains and legumes reduces phytate content and improves absorption. If a deficiency is confirmed, the doctor prescribes a course of zinc supplements; It is impossible to take them uncontrollably and for a long time - excess zinc disrupts copper metabolism, causes nausea and reduces immunity. At the same time, they treat the cause: intestinal diseases, diarrhea, alcohol addiction. A control test is taken after completing the course.
- Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs in the diet
- Nuts, seeds, whole grains
- Soaking grains and legumes before cooking
- Zinc preparations in a course as prescribed by a doctor
- Avoiding long-term self-administration of supplements
- Treatment of the underlying disease
- Control analysis after the course
