Are you zinc deficient?
Zinc is one of the most important minerals and yet most people are seriously deficient. Stress, poor diet, pregnancy alcohol, or infection can drain the body of zinc very quickly. Teenage boys and the elderly are also more likely to become zinc deficient.
Do you suffer from any of these symptoms?
- Reoccurring infection/cold, flu
- Slow growth and repair of tissue and wounds
- Poor appetite/loss of taste or smell
- Painful joints, arthritis
- Poor nutritional status (dirt eating – often among seriously deficient children)
- Mental, emotional and behavioural disorders (anxiety)
- Slow sexual development in adolescence
- Impotency and sterility in males, prostate gland disorders
- Low libido, infertility
- Poor growth in children or foetus in pregnancy
- High cholesterol levels
- High BP, heart attack, stroke
- Weak RBC fatigue, paleness
- Poor blood sugar regulation Hypogycaemia/diabetes
- Premature greying of nails/white spots on nails
- Hair loss, dandruff, premature graying
- Premature ageing of skin, eczema/acne, poor repair and elasticity
- Liver disorders
- Unpleasant body odour
- Gastrointestinal irritation
- Reduced copper status increased metal toxicity
Diets high in grains such as bread or pasta can block zinc absorption making deficiency more likely. Foods high in zinc include red meat, milk and eggs, nuts and seeds (especially brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds).
A very simple quick taste test will determine your zinc status. You take 10mls of a special standardized Zinc solution into your mouth and hold it for 10 seconds before swallowing it. How it tastes will depend on wether your zinc levels are low or high. This is available at most health food/naturopathic outlets and often is a free over the counter test.
Zinc supplements too often and without need can result in toxicity too so it’s important to know exactly what your level is.
Sue Daly Bangalow Naturopathics