Zinc is an important nutrient that is required by every cell, tissue, and organ to function properly. It also plays an indispensable role in digestion, immune function, cell metabolism, wound healing, and DNA expression. In essence, it is involved in every metabolic process in the body.
With the current lifestyle, where people live in a bubble of multivitamin supplements and fortified food, not many people take a keen interest in their nutrition. As a result, zinc deficiency has become a global health crisis. The World Health Organization reports that 31 percent of the world’s population has a zinc deficiency. It is also responsible for the increase in mortality rates through pneumonia and childhood diarrhea in developing countries. For instance, zinc deficiency has contributed to about 406,000 deaths from pneumonia in Africa, the East Mediterranean, and South East Asia.
1. Xerosis
Xerosis is a medical disorder that is characterised by dry skin. The name originates from two Greek words, ‘xero’ meaning dry and ‘osis’, which means disease. Xerosis is one of the common signs of zinc deficiency in the body. You can notice this skin disorder through a rough, tough, or tight skin. It can also progress into a flaky, scaly, and itchy skin.
Six percent of the total amount of zinc in your body is located on your skin. It is present in the epidermis and dermis. Zinc is essential for optimal skin health. As a result, limited intake of zinc may cause flaking of the skin. People who are over 65 years are at a higher risk of getting this skin condition.
2. Eczema
Eczema is another vivid indicator of zinc deficiency. It is a condition that makes the skin dry, itchy, and red. The most affected areas are the face, wrists, back of the knees, and the feet. Eczema mostly affects kids, but adults can still get it.
Zinc plays a vital role in increasing the amount of hydrochloric acid. The acid helps to get rid of harmful pathogens in the gut. These pathogens are the major triggers of eczema. In essence, zinc has an antioxidant effect that promotes healing. As a result, you need to have zinc in your body to reduce chances of eczema on your skin.
3. Acne
It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of your skin. It causes blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts on the skin. Your diet plays a huge role when it comes to aggravating acne. In this case, if you have acne, then that could be a sign of zinc deficiency in your body. A study showed that people with acne had 2 percent lower levels of zinc compared to those without.
Zinc deficiency reduces the functioning of the immune system. As a result, it makes the skin susceptible to bacteria. The bacteria consume the fatty acids present in the sebum. Eventually, the skin builds too much oil, causing this skin condition.
Try increasing your intake of zinc into the body to reduce the occurrence of acne on your skin. Alternatively, you can use zinc nutritional supplements.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea has become a major health concern around the world. It mainly affects children in developing countries. Diarrhea affects an average of two million children every year. If you or your child has diarrhea, you should probably look into the amount of zinc you consume.
Zinc plays an important role in immune function. Lack of enough zinc in the body means your immune system is not healthy. As a result, the body becomes highly vulnerable to infections from viruses or bacteria. In this case, your body may experience gastrointestinal infections, which lead to diarrhea. Consume foods that are rich in zinc to improve immune response and to tighten the gut wall as well.
5. Oral ulceration
Do you often feel an irritating pain when chewing or talking? Chances are, you have oral ulceration. These are tiny painful lesions that form in the mouth or at the base of your gum. The lesions are usually so irritating that they make eating, drinking or talking difficult.
Your body needs zinc to help the body fight harmful bacteria and viruses by boosting your immunity. Without sufficient supply of zinc in the body, there is a high risk of contracting systemic infections that lead to oral ulceration. Some of them could be bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. If you want to relieve the pain that comes with oral ulceration, try using a warm saline mouthwash.
6. Anorexia
Anorexia is a mental condition where a person has a serious eating disorder, and they try to keep their weight as low as possible. People with this condition mostly practice restrictive diet and excessive exercise. In some cases, they even make themselves vomit.
Anorexia is one of the symptoms of zinc deficiency as it affects mental health. Low zinc intake affects neurotransmitters in various parts of the brain. Some of them include gamma-aminobutyric and amygdala. Lack of zinc makes such neurotransmitters to function abnormally. As a result, it causes anorexia. Take sufficient zinc to save yourself from the adverse effects of anorexia like malnutrition.
7. Impaired learning
Do you have difficulty in learning, remembering, and recalling new information? Impaired learning is another symptom of lack of zinc in the body. Some people with impaired learning may have difficulty remembering simple things like phone numbers or emails. Children are the ones who are most affected. However, impaired learning can progress to adulthood, if zinc deficiency is not managed.
Zinc plays an essential role in cognitive development and neuropsychological functioning. It is also responsible for proper functioning of the brain by binding with proteins that contribute to the structure of the brain. Lack of zinc impairs abnormal cerebellar function, which causes impaired learning.
8. Depression
Depression is a serious disorder that negatively affects how you act, feel, or think. People who are depressed may experience feelings of sadness or lose interest in activities they loved once. In some cases, people may lose their jobs or families due to depression. Studies have shown that depressed people have low levels of zinc in their bodies.
Zinc is used to modulate the response of the body to stress. The highest amount of zinc in the body is found in the hippocampus. It is responsible for supporting moods and emotions. Therefore, lack of zinc may cause poor functioning of the hippocampus, which leads to depression. Take sufficient amounts of zinc to save yourself from the burdens of depression.
9. Delayed growth
Last but not least among the symptoms of zinc deficiency, is delayed growth. It is one of the most visible signs that is mainly noticeable in children. In some cases, the lack of zinc can cause stunted growth even in adolescents and eventually adults.
Adequate amounts of zinc play an essential role in healthy growth and development. Zinc also takes an active role in cell growth. It supports the growth of muscle tissue and repair as well. Lack of zinc will reduce the rate of cell growth, which leads to retarded growth.
If you are concerned about the zinc intake of your young one, make sure their meals are filled with protein-rich foods.
