An overlooked vitamin might actually be one of the most important for every part of the body.
Zinc is the second most abundant metal vitamin found in the body behind calcium, regulating metabolism, immune health, wound healing and cell growth.
But about one in six Americans don’t get enough of it through foods like meat, eggs and dairy, as well as legumes and whole grains.
The body doesn’t produce the mineral on its own, so food and supplements are key for getting enough. Deficiencies could lead to an increased risk of severe infections, infertility and even growth delays.
It’s rare to be deficient in zinc, though people with eating disorders, substance use disorders or gastrointestinal conditions, as well as vegans and vegetarians, might be at a greater risk.
Additionally, older adults often consume fewer foods high in zinc, and their bodies may not absorb or utilize zinc as efficiently, increasing their risk of deficiency.
Doctors warn that too much zinc can be toxic, however, leading to nausea vomiting and headaches, so it’s important to discuss with a professional before considering supplement use.
Below DailyMail.com details the seven signs you might have a zinc deficiency.
Slow-healing wounds
Zinc controls several processes responsible for scrape, cut and bruise healing (stock image)
One of the most common symptoms for people who are deficient in zinc, especially in older adults, is slow-healing wounds.
Zinc is a control master of the immune system, especially in all stages of wound healing.
It helps promote platelet activity, which is essential for blood clotting, and has been shown to lower inflammation from damaged tissue.
It also plays a role in skin cell migration, replacing the outer layer of skin and rebuilding skin structure to close cuts and scrapes.
Additionally, the mineral has antioxidant properties, which protects cells from damage throughout the healing process.
Fast wound healing is critical because it prevents infections and other contaminants from entering through the open spaces and traveling to the bloodstream.
Experts recommend using topical zinc sulfate creams on wounds to speed up the healing process.
Hair loss
A zinc deficiency may cause hair thinning and shedding, research shows (stock image)
Notice hair clumps in the shower or signs of balding? Zinc – or a lack thereof – may be to blame.
One of zinc’s many responsibilities includes regulating hair growth and hair follicle health by helping to produce keratin, a protein that provides the structural foundation for hair strands.
This means not getting enough may disrupt the hair growth cycle, as it makes hair follicles weaker.
Zinc may also regulate the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can contribute to hair loss.
Over time, a zinc deficiency may cause hair thinning and shedding, eventually resulting in conditions like alopecia areata and male pattern baldness.
Acne
Research shows people with acne tend to have lower zinc levels (stock image)
Acne and breakouts may be common among adolescents and teens in puberty, but a zinc deficiency in a person of any age may also lead to unsightly pimples. When expensive skincare products fail, it may be time to look at zinc intake.
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the US, affecting about 50million Americans.
One 2020 review found people with acne tend to have lower zinc levels than people without it. The researchers also found that zinc can help quell your breakouts, leaving you with fewer zits.
This could be because zinc has anti-inflammatory properties; similar to how it helps with wound healing, it reduces swelling and redness in the skin.
It has also been shown to fight bacteria that cause acne and regulate the production of sebum, which clogs pores and leads to breakouts.
Additionally, people with zinc deficiencies have more eczema flare-ups, rashes, and xerosis – dry and scaly skin.
These flare-ups occur because the uppermost layer of skin contains the most zinc compared to deeper skin layers.
Chronic disease and infections
Zinc deficiency has been associated with infections and conditions like diabetes (stock image)
Some evidence also suggests a lack of zinc may fuel chronic diseases.
Zinc plays a role in insulin synthesis, storage and secretion, so low amounts of it could inhibit the pancreas from producing enough insulin.
Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, eventually causing type 2 diabetes.
Zinc may also help reduce oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system by increasing the activity of T-cells and natural killer cells, key defenders that protect the body against infections.
Recent research has suggested zinc supplementation may help treat common infections like pneumonia.
Vision loss
Zinc levels in the eyes decline with age but can be restored with supplements (stock image)
Even your eyes may suffer if you don’t get enough zinc.
Zinc aids in communication between the retinas and the brain. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of nerve tissue in the back of the eye that receives signals and sends them to the brain.
Without this line of communication, patients may suffer blurry or distorted vision that can eventually lead to complete blindness.
Zinc also helps vitamin A create a pigment called melanin, which protects the eye against UV radiation.
Zinc levels in the eyes naturally decline with age, but there is some evidence that supplements, when used in combination with antioxidant vitamins, slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), vision decline that comes with age.
Loss of taste
A lack of zinc disrupts communication between the brain and taste receptors (stock image)
If your favorite foods suddenly taste a little off, zinc deficiency could be the reason.
Because zinc is required for cell growth and repair, a deficiency would slow the regeneration of taste buds, which naturally break down over time.
Fewer taste buds overall decreases the amount of taste receptors in the mouth, which can alter taste.
An enzyme called carbonic anhydrase VI, found in saliva, is also dependent on zinc, so this may also disrupt taste perception.
And not getting enough zinc disrupts communication between the brain and these diminished taste receptors.
Stunted growth
Zinc is especially important for children as it helps regulate growth (stock image)
Zinc may not get much spotlight, but without it, growth in children can stall.
It is essential for healthy growth because of its influence on DNA replication and protein translation. Without enough, cells can’t properly divide to make a child grow.
Zinc also stabilizes the structure of zinc finger proteins, which are transcription factors that bind DNA and control which genes are turned on or off.
This process is essential during bone formation, tissue growth and repair and embryonic development in the womb.
A lack of it can slow down growth and development, and deficiency-related symptoms, like loss of appetite and diarrhea, can compound the problem.
The mineral may also boost how well vitamin D supports bone health by helping bone cells make more DNA.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .