Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

Zinc is essential for the growth of micro-organisms, plants, animals, and human beings. It is useful for the body in many ways and carries out various functions, such as cell growth and division, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and energy. It also helps in curing skin problems such as acne, boils, and also sore throat. Zinc is also responsible for the growth and maintenance of the muscles.

Zinc deficiency (hypozincemia) is caused due to lack of zinc in the body . Zinc is needed for certain metabolic functions. If the proportion of zinc in the body is low, it can become a major cause for genetic disorders. It can also cause fertility problems in men, and abnormal growth and slow sexual maturity in children. The symptoms of zinc deficiency are given below.

Abnormal Growth
Zinc deficiency can cause both abnormal mental and physical growth in children. If a mother does not have appropriate proportion of zinc in her body when she is pregnant, it can affect the unborn child and lead to many abnormalities at birth. The physical growth of the child may stop or slow down; this may also result in dwarfism. The child may also have some mental and psychological problems, as his brain is not developing in a normal way.

Hypogonadism
It is a medical term used for improper functioning of the reproductive system that results in a defect in the proper operation of gonads (ovaries or testes). The gonads have two functions: to produce hormones and to produce eggs or sperms. The deficiency of sex and reproductive hormones can result in defective primary or secondary sexual development.

Skin Problems
Zinc deficiency can have a bad effect on your skin as well. The skin can turn pale or rough. Stretch marks are also a symptom of zinc deficiency. Acne and greasy skin are some other symptoms.

Weight Loss
Weight loss is a symptom of zinc deficiency, but can also be a symptom of other diseases or deficiencies. In case of zinc deficiency, it can lead to loss of appetite that can indirectly cause weight loss or hamper the growth of new cells and tissues in the body. Children can be underweight from birth, if they suffer from zinc deficiency.

Diarrhea
Deficiency of zinc causes diarrhea, but the mechanism by which it is caused is unknown. In some registered cases, the level of diarrhea was lessened with zinc supplementation.

Emotional Instability
Zinc deficiency can affect your brain, which can lead to many emotional disturbances in your daily life. Anger, sudden fright, depression, and low confidence, including emotional instability are some symptoms that can occur.

Joint and Hip Pain
Painful hip and knee joints have also been linked to zinc deficiency. Bones contain a large amount of zinc, and deficiency of this essential mineral will cause pain and other complications.

Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common symptom of zinc deficiency and is caused by the formation of dandruff in the hair which eventually causes this symptom. As long as your hair is deprived of zinc, it will not grow normally.

Other Symptoms
There are miscellaneous symptoms of zinc deficiency, such as white spots on fingernails, and poor nail growth, slow wound healing, impaired sense of taste and smell, and poor night vision. Continuous shivering of hands also reflects zinc deficiency.

Zinc is a necessary dietary mineral for a healthy body and its deficiency symptoms should not to be ignored. To make up for its deficiency, one should eat healthy foods such as pecan, cashew and pine nuts, and also fish and eggs. Zinc is lost in the milling and cooking processes, eventually resulting in low consumption of zinc. Another way to overcome symptoms of this deficiency would be by taking zinc supplements under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.