12 ZINC DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS You Should Know.
One of these essential minerals is zinc. It is one that is often forgotten about,
but it is so vital to our body. It’s a mineral that is found in our cells and aids the immune
system in fighting off different infections and diseases. It’s also important in helping our body
to build and grow cells and DNA. Zinc deficiency is extremely common, and it is so important
that we notice the signs of it so that we can supplement the essential mineral.
In today’s video, I will show you the main 12 zinc deficiency symptoms you should know.
#1 Impaired Growth and Development
One of the biggest signs of zinc deficiency is you might find your (or someone close to you) growth
has been stunted earlier than normal, and that certain aspects of body development are impaired.
This is because zinc is essential to the development and formation of body cells, DNA
and RNA. Therefore, when lacking in this mineral it can cause abnormal genetic material growth,
which can therefore impact our development.
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#2 Skin Rashes Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties,
and therefore if you are deficient in it you may experience symptoms such as skin rashes,
acne or dermatitis.
This is why zinc is an often-recommended treatment for acne, as it helps to calm the area
and reduce the inflammation and irritation in the skin.
It also works by helping to effectively reform the top layer of our epidermis (skin).
#3 Worsened Wound Healing
Due to Zinc’s amazing property of being able to reform the top layer of our epidermis,
it makes it exceptionally good at healing wounds. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,
as well as its ability to help in the formation of scar tissue, are also major contributors.
Therefore, when we don’t have enough zinc in our bodies it can instead make
our wound healing abilities a lot worse. So, we might find cuts and
bruises to linger for a long length and be a lot more aggravated than normal.
#4 Chronic Diarrhoea
This is very unpleasant, but very telling, a symptom of zinc deficiency. Chronic Diarrhoea
is something you are very likely to experience if you don’t have enough zinc in your body.
It’s a very technical thing to explain, but zinc is prescribed to people with diarrhoea
because it has amazing functions at being able to regulate and ensure the correct transport
of water and electrolytes. This transport is the process responsible for causing diarrhoea
when it’s not functioning properly as it upsets the balance throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Therefore, when zinc is deficiency and this transport can’t be carried out
in its proper balanced way, you can suffer from chronic diarrhoea.
#5 Erectile Dysfunction
One study found how when a group of young males were deprived of zinc, their data
showed them to have significantly reduced levels of testosterone. It was a decrease of almost 75%!
Another study tested the opposite and found that when a group of men
had their zinc intake significantly increased, so too did their testosterone levels.
This data has shown that zinc deficiency may cause delayed erectile dysfunction,
and how zinc is a mineral that plays a key role in helping men to maintain arousal.
#6 Behavioural Issues
Another very common symptom of zinc deficiency is that it can
cause people to experience mood swings and behavioural issues.
This is because, as mentioned earlier, zinc is extremely important in the growth and formation
of DNA and body cells. This includes cells needed for the correct functioning of our brains.
Therefore, when lacking in zinc it can lead to improper brain
cell formation and so can lead to altered behaviours and major mood swings.
#7 Thinning Hair
Again, that cell-building property of zinc is the reason why many experiences this next symptom of a
deficiency in the mineral. Hair thinning is a very common sign people with zinc deficiencies have
reported experiencing. This is because, with those cell-building properties, zinc plays a crucial
role in the cellular turnover of hair follicles. Therefore, when lacking those hair cells are
weaker and can’t develop, and so this reflects in the strength and thickness of our hair.
#8 Decreased Appetite
Zinc deficiency has been found to inhibit appetite and cause people to feel less hungry.
This then results to them eating less and has as a result had major links to anorexia
and is thought to be the cause of it in some cases.
It is therefore extremely important to make sure
you get your recommended daily intake of zinc as otherwise
it’s deficiency symptoms can develop into more serious and potentially life-altering conditions.
#9 Dry Skin
As mentioned earlier in the video, zinc is great for helping to reduce acne and
a lack of it has been shown to cause skin rashes.
Well, for the same reason, zinc deficiency has also been found to cause dry skin.
It doesn’t allow the proper renewal and growth of new skin cells,
and so dead ones remain and therefore give our skin that dry feeling.
Zinc’s anti-inflammatory and immune benefits are also something which would prevent dry skin,
and so zinc products are recommended to people who suffer from dry skin or redness.
#10 Eye Lesions
You may not know this, but zinc is a crucial part of our eyes.
It’s found in essential enzymes of our eye that work as an antioxidant,
and also helps in the formation of visual pigments of our eyes.
Therefore, a lack of it can cause a multitude of eye problems,
including eye lesions and even night blindness.
Ensuring you are getting your recommended amount of zinc also helps your eyes to produce melanin,
which helps protect them from harmful UV rays.
#11 Hypogonadism
This links the majority to the point I mentioned earlier about zinc leading to infertility issues.
The lack of testosterone production that zinc deficiency can cause can manifest
and develop into the more serious condition, hypogonadism, in males.
This is where not enough of the hormone, testosterone,
is produced and as a result, can lead to a lack of masculine growth
and sexual immaturity with puberty not happening as and when it should. Furthermore,
it causes a lack of sperm production which can lead to major fertility issues.
#12 Impaired Immune Function
As already touched upon in this video, zinc has amazing anti-inflammatory properties
and is essential for ensuring the correct functioning of the immune system.
Therefore, a lack of zinc can lead to an impaired immune system which can result in our bodies being
more vulnerable to attack by pathogens leaving us more likely to get serious illnesses and diseases.
So, there you have the main signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency.
It is a mineral that many often don’t think about, but it does have so many amazing properties
and a multitude of positive impacts on your body. It is therefore vital that you make
sure you are getting your recommended daily dosage. If you can’t get it through your food
then you should make sure you are taking daily supplements, which is so easy to do.
They can come in so many different forms and usually consist of taking one a day.
So, make sure you are eating your beans, nuts or dairy products, or ensure you are taking those
daily supplements. I promise you your body and brain will sincerely thank you for it!
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