Table of contents:
- What are the signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency?
- 1. Hair loss to bald
- 2. Many pimples appear
- 3. The ability to taste and smell is reduced
- 4. Get sick easily
- So how to deal with zinc deficiency?
The body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. One of the most important minerals is zinc. Even though it is needed in small amounts, a person can still experience zinc deficiency. This condition will also cause various kinds of health problems. So, what are the possible symptoms of zinc deficiency?
What are the signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency?
1. Hair loss to bald
Reported on the Prevention page, low zinc levels will cause more hair to fall out. Some cases such as people who experience alopecia, or autoimmune diseases also often experience hair loss, now this loss usually occurs because the body is deficient in zinc.
If you see these signs in yourself, don't panic right away. There are many reasons for the growing number of hair loss. Look for other signs and symptoms first. In severe cases of zinc deficiency, the hair on the head may remain only a few strands on the scalp.
2. Many pimples appear
Some studies have found that taking oral medications or using topical medications containing zinc can help get rid of acne. Researchers believe that zinc has anti-inflammatory properties, and can reduce the amount of oil and bacteria that trigger acne.
Even so, acne can actually be caused by various things, not always people who have acne due to zinc deficiency.
If you have been treated, modified a healthy diet, stress control but still increasing, you should consult your doctor whether the acne is related to zinc deficiency.
3. The ability to taste and smell is reduced
Sufficient zinc content in the body is needed to produce an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase, which is important for recognizing tastes and smells. If zinc is lacking in the body it will have an impact on this enzyme.
Therefore, people who are deficient in zinc will have difficulty tasting food because of decreased sensitivity to taste and smell stimuli. If you have this, your appetite can decrease further, and the food that comes in will be less.
Research also shows that by giving drugs containing zinc to people who have a taste disorder, it will stimulate the part of the brain that controls food intake to be more active. Therefore, zinc is considered a mineral that plays a major role in the response of the sense of smell and taste.
This risk of reduced ability to perceive tastes and smells is more common in older adults.
4. Get sick easily
Don't ignore a cold that doesn't go away, this could be a symptom of zinc deficiency. When you don't get enough zinc, the function of the immune response decreases.
This is because zinc is an important mineral that activates T cells, cells that will function to control immune responses and attack germs, reported on the Medical News Today page. That's why if you have zinc deficiency you can be very susceptible to various infectious diseases and last quite a long time.
So how to deal with zinc deficiency?
If the above signs occur, then you should make dietary changes and consult a doctor to confirm your condition. Consider eating more foods containing zinc:
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Whole grains
- Oyster
- Zinc fortified cereals
- Oatmeal
- Milk
Apart from food, you can also increase the amount of zinc in the body by taking zinc supplements. Zinc is quite easy to find in various multivitamin supplements or special supplements that only predominantly contain zinc.
If you are taking supplements to increase the amount of zinc, you still need to be careful because zinc can interact with various antibiotics, arthritis drugs, and diuretics. Consult your doctor first if you use these drugs.
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