Zinc Deficiency: Symptoms of Deficiency in Women and Men

Zinc is a trace element that cells throughout the body need: for immune defense, wound healing, cell growth and division, and also for taste and smell. By concentration in the body, it is second only to iron. Below is a calm breakdown of which symptoms are linked to zinc deficiency and how it is identified.

Why the body needs zinc

Zinc is involved in the functioning of the defense system, in cell division and growth, in wound healing, and in the breakdown of carbohydrates. It is needed for the sense of taste and smell, and it also enhances the action of insulin. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, normal growth and development are impossible without it. Simply put, it is not a "cold remedy vitamin" but a working element for many processes at once.

Causes of zinc deficiency

The best sources of zinc are animal protein: beef, pork, lamb, and meat contains more of it than fish, while dark chicken meat contains more than white. Nuts, whole grains, legumes, and yeast also contain zinc. Fruits and vegetables are weak sources: zinc from plants is absorbed worse than from animal foods. Therefore, diets low in protein and vegetarian diets are often poor in zinc. A prolonged excess of zinc is also harmful: it can lead to a deficiency of copper, iron, or magnesium.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency

Among the signs of deficiency are frequent infections, hair loss, poor appetite, problems with taste and smell, skin lesions, slow wound healing, and worsening vision in the dark. In children, slow growth is added. These are general signals: by themselves they do not prove deficiency, but in combination with a poor diet they are paid attention to.

• frequent colds and infections
• hair loss and slow wound healing
• poor appetite
• changes in taste and smell
• skin lesions

Symptoms of zinc deficiency in women

There are no separate "female" symptoms in descriptions of deficiency: the manifestations are the same — frequent infections, hair, skin, taste, and smell. The difference is in requirements. Women aged 19 and older are recommended about 8 milligrams of zinc per day, girls aged 14–18 — 9 milligrams. During pregnancy from age 19, the norm is higher — 11 milligrams, at 14–18 — 12 milligrams; during breastfeeding — 12 milligrams, and at 14–18 — 13 milligrams. Men from age 14 are recommended 11 milligrams per day. If you eat little meat and a lot of plant foods, it makes sense to discuss your diet with a doctor.

How to suspect zinc deficiency

Possible zinc deficiency is indicated by dietary patterns (little animal protein, a vegetarian diet) together with characteristic complaints; only a doctor can assess the situation. That is why both a description of what you eat and a description of symptoms are so important.

When to see a doctor

The reason for a consultation is persistent frequent infections, noticeable hair loss, wounds that do not heal for a long time, pronounced changes in taste and smell, poor appetite in a child, or slow growth. It is better to start with a visit to a doctor: they will assess the situation as a whole.

Suspicion of zinc deficiency alone is not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 for life-threatening conditions — for example, a serious accident, stroke, or heart attack.

This is reference material, not a substitute for a doctor's consultation: only a doctor can assess your situation as a whole.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer