Zinc Deficiency

Learn How a Functional Nutritionist Can Help Correct Your Zinc Deficiency

You’ve probably seen zinc labeled on the back of multivitamins. But do you know the role it plays in your health?

If you’re deficient in zinc, then you may struggle with memory, brain fog, and mood. Why? Because zinc helps give your genes their marching orders. A very important role. 

Most people don’t know how to correct a zinc deficiency. That’s why I offer personalized nutrition plans that get to the root cause of your symptoms. Is zinc to blame? Let’s take a look. Sign up for a free consultation to learn more about my services.

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What Is Zinc and Why Is It So Important?

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that helps stimulate the activity of over 300 different enzymes. It enhances resistance to stress as well as helps to maintain intellectual function, memory, and mood levels. Zinc plays a key role in cell development and gene expression, and when deficient, the result is a wide variety of mental and physical health challenges.

Why Is Zinc Deficiency a Problem?

Why Is Zinc Deficiency a Problem? Zinc deficiency is by far the most frequently observed chemical imbalance in mental health because zinc is needed to make neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter imbalance can cause a variety of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, and anorexia. The proper balance of serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and dopamine is essential to a happy, healthy life. Zinc is also a critical factor in pre and postnatal development because zinc deficiency can be passed from parent to child. This significantly affects not only growth, development, and immune function, but your child’s ability to think, feel, and act, which can lead to behavioral disorders, ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia.

Zinc deficiency in parents before conception can cause miscarriage, fetal growth restrictions, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and can even influence gender. This is because it takes more zinc to create a male than a female. While there is no way to determine gender, I almost always see zinc deficiency in couples that miscarry males and only produce girls.

Recognizing the diverse implications of zinc deficiency underscores the importance of ensuring an adequate intake through a balanced and nutrient-rich diet or, when necessary, through supplementation. As a functional nutritionist, addressing zinc status forms a crucial aspect of promoting overall health and preventing a range of mental and physical challenges.

What Are the Causes of a Zinc Deficiency?

I notice these consistent aspects in the lifestyles of those with zinc deficiencies:

• Inadequate Dietary Intake:
  A diet low in zinc-rich foods such as beef, lamb, seafood, and some seeds.

• Poor Absorption:
  Conditions like leaky gut, celiac disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders can hinder the absorption of zinc.

• Vegetarian or Vegan Diet:
  Plant-based diets may lack sufficient zinc, as this mineral is primarily found in animal products.

• High Phytate Intake:
  Consuming foods high in phytic acid, such as grains and legumes, can bind to zinc and reduce its absorption.

• Alcohol Consumption:
  Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with zinc absorption and increase urinary zinc excretion.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
  Increased zinc requirements during these periods may lead to deficiencies if dietary intake is insufficient.

• Certain Medications:
  Some medications, including certain diuretics and antibiotics, can impact zinc absorption or increase its excretion.

• Digestive Disorders:
  Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can impair zinc absorption in the digestive tract.

• Aging:
  Older adults may experience reduced absorption and increased excretion of zinc, contributing to deficiency over time.

• Pyrrole disorder:
  We all excrete pyrrole molecules in our urine but for individuals with pyroluria, these molecules latch onto and pull zinc out of the body, especially during times of stress.
  

What Are the Symptoms of a Zinc Deficiency? 

While everyone’s body responds differently to certain nutrients (or the lack thereof), these are common signs that may point to a zinc deficiency:

• Impaired Immune Function:
  Increased susceptibility to infections and prolonged recovery times.

• Skin Issues:
  Dry skin, eczema, rosacea, or acne are often indicative of zinc deficiency.

• Delayed Wound Healing:
  Slower healing of wounds, cuts, or bruises.

• Loss of Taste and Smell:
  Zinc is essential for sensory perception, and deficiency can lead to a diminished sense of taste and smell.

• Gastrointestinal Distress:
  Digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea and impaired nutrient absorption.

• Hair Loss:
  Zinc is crucial for maintaining healthy hair, and deficiency may contribute to hair loss.

• Mood Changes:
  Zinc plays a key role in neurotransmitter function, and deficiency can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety and depression.

• Impaired Cognitive Function:
  Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and reduced intellectual function.

• Reproductive Health Issues:
  In men, zinc deficiency can affect sperm quality, while in women, it can significantly impact fertility and cause miscarriage.

• Bone Health Concerns:
  Zinc is involved in bone metabolism, and deficiency may contribute to bone-related problems.

• Fatigue and Low Energy:
  Generalized weakness and a lack of vitality may be indicative of inadequate zinc levels.

Who Can Have Zinc Deficiency?

I often see zinc deficiency in men, women and children with strong sensitivities, frequent infections, anorexia, poor memory and concentration, depression, anxiety, poor growth, poor immune function, suicidal tendencies, and pale skin. The male reproductive system is also impacted by this condition (the prostate gland has one of the highest concentrations of zinc) and it is often hereditary.

How Can We Fix It?

Zinc deficiency can safely be corrected and balanced with dietary and nutrient therapy, as well as lifestyle modifications. First, let’s see if you might be impacted by this. Take my free, five-minute life assessment to find out if this applies to you. Then schedule your consultation with me.