How to effectively treat zinc deficiency in the body
Zinc is important for the body's immune system. When there is not enough zinc in the body, the immune system cannot fight viral infections, and the skin, nails, and hair can also be affected. There are some ways to effectively treat zinc deficiency.
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Zinc
Although it makes up only 2-3 grams of the human body, zinc is the most important trace element. The highest concentration of this substance is found in the muscles and bones of a person, the prostate gland, and semen in men.
This trace element is necessary to regulate the work of more than 40 enzymes in the body, increase the stability of immune cells, normal brain function, and increase mental alertness.
Step-by-step instructions for reversing the body's lack of zinc
Zinc deficiency can be very dangerous. If there is not enough of this substance in the body, then a person will become very susceptible to viruses and bacteria, since the immune system simply will not be able to withstand third-party attacks.
Zinc deficiency manifests itself faster in women and becomes noticeable immediately. The girls pointed out that the lack of this trace element affects the appearance of hair and nails, they become brittle, lose their natural shine and worsen.
The most serious zinc deficiency is during pregnancy.
It can cause fetal growth retardation, lead to developmental abnormalities, or provoke premature labor.
Experts do not recommend taking medications with a high zinc content thoughtlessly. They claim that a substance's excess or shortage in the body might both be hazardous. Today we will tell you how to safely compensate for zinc deficiency, and in what cases you need a doctor's help.
notes
According to the World Health Organization, moderate to moderate zinc deficiency is diagnosed in 30-35% of the adult population. Associated with him is the development of infectious lesions of the respiratory tract in (16% of cases), malaria (18%), and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (10%).
Get Tested
If you suspect a zinc deficiency in the body, the patient should consult a general practitioner or therapist. The specialist will listen to the patient's complaints, collect Anamnesis and refer him for further examination to an immunologist.
The most illuminated response enables you to get a serum or blood plasma examination. In this case, it is necessary to take into account possible daily fluctuations, which can be traced at 9 am and 6 pm.
It is known that the zinc content in the blood decreases after eating.
It is important to take these factors into account when preparing for the delivery of biomaterial and in the course of interpreting the results.
Urinalysis to determine the amount of zinc excreted does not provide a comprehensive picture. The analysis reflects the volume of replaceable zinc reserves and does not show its amount in the body.
A low concentration of zinc in the blood does not always indicate a deficiency of this trace element in the body. In some cases, the zinc level decreases due to inflammatory or infectious processes, and stress. Or vigorous physical activity.
In these cases, correction is not required; after restoration, the balance of microelements will return to normal.
Determining the cause of zinc deficiency
For the treatment to be effective and allow you to quickly restore the level of zinc in the blood, you need to know the reason for its decrease. The list of the most common reasons that can lead to a decrease in the concentration of a trace element includes:
- Disorders of the thyroid gland.
- Liver diseases
- Excess content of phytin in food (a substance that binds zinc) ؛
- Strict adherence to a diet containing only protein
- Conditions associated with cancer. In some cases, the reason is the abuse of vitamin supplements. For example, calcium reduces the absorption of zinc by about 50%, while selenium and zinc completely exclude the effectiveness of each other.
Caffeine, alcohol, and contraceptives reduce the concentration of zinc in the body. Corticosteroids used to treat various diseases act similarly.
Normalize your diet and lifestyle
If the zinc deficiency is no more than 5-10% of the minimum allowable period, proper nutrition will help restore balance, that is, the introduction of certain foods into the diet:
- Oysters.
- Cattle meat
- Pumpkin seeds؛
- Sesame.
- Sunflower and chia kernels.
- Nuts. nuts.
- Spinach and green salad.
- Chocolate
From products of animal origin, zinc is absorbed by the human body more intensively. That is why the deficiency of this trace element is diagnosed twice as often in vegetarians.
Taking prescribed medications
If the zinc deficiency is severe, the immunologist may recommend taking dietary supplements containing zinc. The trace element can be present in them in various forms: zinc picolinate, zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, and zinc acetate.
Laboratory studies show that it is zinc picolinate that has the maximum bioavailability compared to other forms.
How does zinc deficiency manifest in the body
At the initial stage of development, zinc deficiency is almost asymptomatic and can go unnoticed by a person for a long time. When the deficiency becomes moderately pronounced, the following signs appear:
- Sleep disturbance.
- Low-quality night vision.
- Deterioration of the condition of the skin, nails, and hair (their severe loss is possible).
- Loss of appetite؛
- Indifference.
- Increase the duration of wound healing.
These signs can be important diagnostic signs. Such symptoms could be a sign of other health issues as well as a developing zinc shortage. A general practitioner should be contacted if these symptoms arise suddenly or persist for a long time.
What examinations need to be run if zinc insufficiency is suspected?
The most informative are plasma and serum studies. These examinations must be completed before the zinc deficiency in the body is compensated. A referral for the examination can be obtained from a general practitioner, family doctor, or internist. In some cases, additional consultation with an immunologist is required.
What is the danger of excess zinc in the body?
An excess of zinc is rarely diagnosed. Such a condition cannot develop due to excessive intake of the substance with food. However, the risk of developing zinc hypersecretion cannot be underestimated.
An increased concentration of zinc in the body can lead to the deterioration of the pancreas of fibrous nature. In some cases, a violation leads to an increase in blood sugar levels. A chronic excess of zinc is dangerous for the development of autoimmune diseases.