Zinc deficiency due to nutritional disorders

Zinc deficiency is the inadequate amount of zinc needed to maintain optimal human health. Zinc is a trace element that is important for human growth and development, immune function, taste, smell, wound healing, protein production, and maintenance of skin and hair. Severe zinc deficiency is rare and is usually congenital. Mild zinc deficiency is common among older people. Zinc deficiency manifests subtly. It includes delayed wound healing, altered taste, loss of appetite, hair loss, infertility, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. A blood test is performed to confirm suspected zinc deficiency. In many cases, symptoms are alleviated by standard zinc supplements.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology