Zinc Deficiencies: Causes, Symptoms & Best Supplements
Although zinc is a trace mineral and is required in a tiny amount, its deficiency is increasing day by day. The general causes of facing zinc deficiency are either the absence of its sources in our daily diet or too much excretion of zinc from the body. Therefore, zinc is among the essential nutrients, and its supplement intake is highly encouraged.
What Can Cause Zinc Deficiency?
Whenever our body gets deficient in any nutrient, it majorly occurs due to multiple unhealthy habits or health complications present in our lifestyle. Here are a couple of factors that can lead to zinc deficiency in our bodies.
Low Intake of Zinc Rich Foods
Skipping a regular intake of meat products, seafood, nuts, and seeds can cause the risk of zinc deficiency in the body. All these foods are distinctive sources of dietary zinc and, therefore, must be a regular part of one’s daily diet.
Excessive Zinc Secretion or Less Absorption in The Body
Another thing that can affect normal levels of zinc in our body is excessive excretion from the body or lesser absorption from foods. Any of these can ultimately result in zinc deficiency. People with kidney or gastrointestinal disorders can face such problems.
Besides these causes, people at higher risk of becoming zinc-deficient are; alcoholics, vegetarians (as absorption from plant sources is not very effective), and lactating mothers who already have lower amounts of zinc in them. Aging is also a factor in causing multiple nutritional deficiencies, including zinc.
Signs & Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency
The optimal zinc requirement varies between 2 mg to 13 mg daily throughout a person’s life cycle. Because zinc has to perform different functions in different phases of life, and thus its deficiency can impart signs and symptoms accordingly.
- In growing kids, zinc deficiency can cause suppressed appetite and compromised immunity. This can lead to multiple nutritional deficiencies and an increased risk of infection.
- Zinc is also beneficial for the normal development of reproductive organs; therefore, zinc deficiency can also alter normal reproductive functions, especially in men.
- The ability of our immune system to neutralize free radicals is also dependent on an average level of zinc in the body. So, a person facing recurrent fever, common cold, and other chronic symptoms probably have zinc deficiency in the body.
How Can Food Supplements Help Overcome Zinc Deficiency?
Supplements are formulated in such a way as to increase the absorption of a particular nutrient in the body. Similarly, the salt or the form of zinc that is used in food supplements is always considered to promote zinc absorption. Nutrifactor has also manufactured such supplements according to international safety standards.
Nuzinc is a food supplement containing 50 mg of Zinc Gluconate to help enhance immunity, better vision, and improved reproductive health in adult men. In addition, Nutrifactor also has one more supplement named Nutra-C Plus, which contains an efficient combination of Vitamin C and Zinc to provide maximum antioxidant and immune support.
Nucal-Z is another food supplement available in two formulations, tablet and syrup (to make it easy for children to consume). It contains a healthy combination of Zinc with other vital nutrients, Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D3. This food supplement is highly beneficial in maintaining bone and muscle health in children and adults.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/zinc-deficiency
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320393
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-982/zinc
- https://www.webmd.com/childsren/news/20020524/zinc-helps-kids-grow