Malnutrition
Why do we need zinc?
The human body relies on zinc to perform many functions, including:
- healing of wounds
- growth and repair of tissue
- proper clotting of blood
- correct thyroid function, especially the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and alcohol
- fetal development and
sperm production
Studies of people receiving zinc supplements have shown a decrease in rates of infection, especially reduced rates of acute lower respiratory infections.
Among children receiving zinc supplements there is reduced incidence and duration of acute and persistent diarrhea.
What happens if we don’t get enough zinc?
Signs of zinc deficiency include:
- poor appetite, which can lead to deficiencies in other nutrients
- low immunity and slow healing of wounds
- anemia
- poor growth and skeletal abnormalities
- spontaneous abortion and birth defects
- impaired sexual maturation and sterility
Zinc deficiency is most often found in association with other health conditions. For example, severely malnourished children or those with persistent diarrhea or respiratory problems may be zinc deficient. High rates of iron-deficiency anemia in a region indicate a risk of zinc deficiency in the same region and high rates of stunting (very low height-for-age) among children in a particular region indicate widespread zinc deficiency.
The effects of zinc deficiency vary according to a person’s age:
- For women of reproductive age, zinc deficiency during pregnancy affects the mother’s health, the progress of the pregnancy, and its outcome.
Poor zinc status is associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia and placental abruption, pre-term delivery and hemorrhaging. - For the baby the effects can be severe: poor fetal growth and low birth-weight, poor fetal neurobehavioral development, birth defects and higher rates of infant death.
- Low-birth weight infants may be especially vulnerable to zinc deficiency. Studies of low birth-weight babies who received zinc supplements show increased weight gain and improved developmental scores.
- For infants up to two months, the most common problem is diarrhea
- Among school-aged children, common symptoms of zinc deficiency include hair loss, growth retardation, inflammation of the eyelids, and recurring infections. Studies show that children with low height or weight for their age are likely to be zinc deficient.
- Male adolescents with zinc deficiency have shown delayed sexual development, decreased sperm count and lower levels of testosterone, as well as skeletal abnormalities, short stature and anemia.
- Among the elderly, common symptoms include chronic non-healing leg ulcers and recurring infections.
What are the best sources of zinc?
Breast milk is the best source of zinc for babies, as this zinc is better absorbed than the zinc contained in infant formula.
Animal sources: The best, most easily absorbed sources of zinc come from animals, including the organs and flesh of beef, pork, poultry, fish and shellfish.
Plant sources: Nuts, seeds, legumes and whole-grain cereals are good sources of zinc.
Foods fortified with zinc.
