1. Hair removal
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Zinc is an essential mineral needed for many bodily processes, including growth, immunity, wound healing, and cell production.
If you are experiencing hair loss and think you may have a zinc deficiency, talk to your doctor about supplementing with the mineral. Plasma and urine can be tested to get accurate levels.
2. Diarrhea
Clinical studies have shown that zinc supplementation can reduce both the duration and severity of diarrhea in children. In addition, zinc increases the absorption of water and electrolytes from the small intestine.
Your doctor may test your blood plasma for zinc deficiency. They may also perform other tests to determine the cause of the problem.
3. Weight loss
Zinc is essential for digestion, helping over 100 enzymes function optimally. Without enough zinc in the body, it can be difficult to properly break down food and absorb essential nutrients.
Dietary zinc supplementation can help stimulate appetite and promote weight loss. The study found that overweight people with type 2 diabetes who were supplemented with zinc had "significant" reductions in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels.
4. Skin problems
Zinc is essential for the production of keratin and collagen in skin cells, which use zinc-dependent enzymes to build these proteins. A deficiency in this mineral can cause skin to become flaky, dry, and itchy. Zinc plays an important
antioxidant role in both the body and the skin. It is part of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione phospholipid hydroxyperoxidase and thioredoxin reductase, which protect against free radical damage. This is especially important because oxidative stress contributes to conditions such as aging, cataracts, and cancer.
5. Eye problems
If you have a medical condition that can affect your eyes, it may be an indication of zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency is associated with symptoms such as ocular twitching (constant eye twitching). Treatment with oral or topical zinc supplements may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Another eye problem that can be caused by zinc deficiency is dry eyes. This occurs when the glands that make tears stop working or don't work properly, leading to redness, itching, tearing, and in rare cases, vision loss.
