Zinc is found in all human tissues, fluids and organs, but its internal reserves are small. Daily, it is excreted from the human body, so the lack of this component affects the general condition of the body. And if it is not enough to come with food, then this leads to a deficiency of this substance. The causes and symptoms of zinc deficiency are described in the article.
Substance functions
A variety of functions of zinc is associated with the fact that it is an important substance of cell membranes and enzymes. This component provides:
- normal cell division rate;
- the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- adequate action of hormones;
- immunity performance;
- lipotropic effect;
- protein synthesis;
- nucleic acid metabolism;
- neutralization of the toxic effect of alcohol;
- rapid healing of tissues;
- reduction in inflammation;
- bone and tooth integrity;
- stability of transmission of nerve impulses;
- normal course of labor.
To ensure all these functions, it is important that about 12-15 mg of zinc is ingested every day. This indicator increases in vegetarians, athletes, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Daily rate
When replenishing the daily zinc norm, it will be possible to restore and maintain many processes in the body. It must be borne in mind that during pregnancy, the need for a trace element increases. With a lack of a component during this period, atonic bleeding is likely to occur, the risk of premature birth and other problems increases. To cover the daily rate, you need to take:
- children under 6 months - 2-3 mg;
- from six months to 3 years - 3-5 mg;
- from 3 to 8 years - 6-8 mg;
- from 8 to 13 years old - 10-11 mg;
- 13-18 years old - 12-15 mg;
- men - 16-20 mg;
- women - 12-15 mg;
- during pregnancy and lactation - 22-25 mg or more.
These standards are generally accepted, adhering to them, problems associated with zinc deficiency will not arise. And you can check the level of this component only with a doctor.
Causes
Why does zinc deficiency occur? This phenomenon is associated with:
- serious injuries (especially burns);
- fasting;
- vegetarianism
- taking medication;
- digestive diseases;
- consequences of operations;
- progressive diabetes mellitus;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- excessive sweating;
- alcoholism;
- cancer diseases
- excessive consumption of coffee, sweets and pickles;
- psycho-emotional overstrain;
- aging.
Moreover, isolated zinc deficiency is almost not observed. Usually, a deficiency of other components that are no less important for the body is revealed.
How is it manifested?
What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in the body? Damage to various tissues, organs and systems. This phenomenon can be recognized by:
- changes in the skin - various rashes near the natural holes and on the extremities, worsening of the healing of scratches, abrasions and other defects, dry skin;
- hair changes (focal loss, the appearance of a reddish tint or a decrease in pigmentation) and the striated surface of the nails (transverse white stripes appear);
- eye damage (corneal edema, conjunctival inflammation, cataracts);
- changes in the perception of tastes and smells;
- loss of appetite;
- neurological disorders (trembling of the extremities, changes in gait, speech, dementia, impaired attention and learning);
- violation of behavior (unreasonable irritability, low mood, drowsiness);
- protracted or premature birth, atonic bleeding in childbirth;
- termination or retardation of growth and puberty of the child;
- long healing ulcers on the mucous membranes;
- tendency to parts of infectious ailments;
- impotence;
- infertility.
Several signs of zinc deficiency in the body may appear immediately. In any case, this leads to malfunctions in the normal functioning of the human body. If any signs of zinc deficiency appear, an urgent replenishment of this substance is required.
Diagnostics
It will be possible to identify zinc deficiency on the basis of determining the level of the component in the blood serum, red blood cells, urine, and hair. A study of zinc in blood serum is considered informative. It is believed that the concentration is less than 13 μmol / L. is a deficient condition. And with an indicator of less than 8.2 μmol / L. considered a negative prognostic sign.
But zinc concentration is not always correlated with clinical manifestations. The substance changes throughout the day depending on meals, stress, infection, with impaired blood collection and storage. Therefore, during the diagnosis of zinc deficiency, it is necessary to take into account both the concentration of the substance in the blood serum and the positive change in symptoms, and the increase in zinc concentration as a reaction to therapy with zinc-containing agents.
Features of diet therapy
Replenishment of zinc deficiency is provided by food. Food differs in the amount of this component. With a suspected or discovered deficiency of a substance, it is necessary to include in the diet products that are its sources. Zinc is in:
- red meat (beef);
- offal (kidneys, lungs, tongue, liver);
- seafood (oysters, squid, shrimp);
- eggs (yolks);
- bran;
- cereal germ;
- soybeans;
- cheese;
- sesame seeds;
- pumpkin seeds;
- legumes;
- nuts
- mushrooms;
- brown rice;
- yeast.
Histidine and cysteine present in meat, seafood, by-products and eggs stimulate the absorption functions of zinc. Therefore, these products are optimal. When processing cereals with grinding, a loss of up to 80% of zinc occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to choose bread products from whole grains and with bran.
Zinc cannot be properly absorbed without vitamins A and B6. From animal food, this component is absorbed better than vegetable. This is due to the presence of phytic acid in plant foods, a component that inhibits the absorption of zinc, calcium and magnesium.
Medication
Zinc deficiency in the body of women and men is the same. The bioavailability of the component from the products is low, so if there is a lack of it, doctors prescribe the use of pharmacological agents:
- "Zincite".
- Zincteral.
- "Zinc sulfate."
- "Zinc picolinate."
During treatment, exclude alcohol and limit the use of coffee. If there is a skin rash, ointments, pastes (“Zinc-naphthalan”, “Zinc-ichthyol”), powders, creams with zinc (its oxide) are used. Zinc sulfate drops are effective in treating eye diseases.
Prevention
To exclude the occurrence of zinc deficiency, for example, with vegetarianism, pregnancy, in old age, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures:
- The diet should include foods rich in zinc.
- Periodic intake of balanced multivitamin-mineral complexes (Centrum, Multitabs) is required.
Who to contact?
Usually people visit a specialist who, after an examination, reveals a lack of zinc and writes out a referral to a nutritionist. It is necessary to treat the ailment that led to the deficiency of the component, so it is necessary to undergo an examination with a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, oncologist. Depending on the manifestations of deficiency, treatment can be performed by a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, gynecologist. If zinc deficiency is suspected, you should visit a general practitioner or family doctor.
Danger of excess
The lack of this component leads to negative consequences. But dangerous is not only a deficit, but also an excess. In this case, the appearance of:
- weakened immune system;
- nausea and vomiting
- problems with the digestive tract;
- secondary copper deficiency;
- pathology of hair, skin, nails;
- malfunctions of the prostate, liver and pancreas.
The causes of excess zinc in the human body lie in:
- excessive consumption of foods rich in zinc, as well as drugs with this component;
- violation of the zinc metabolism;
Both deficiency and excess zinc negatively affect human health. It is important to adhere to the norms established for the normal state of the body. And if a deficit arose, then it is required to make up for it with food and medicine. The main thing is to consult with a specialist in advance.