Zinc deficiency
Hair loss? Skin problems? Weakened immune system? These symptoms can indicate a zinc deficiency. Zinc is one of the most important essential trace elements. It is involved in numerous metabolic processes and is important for the immune system. A deficiency is noticeable in skin and mucous membrane problems as well as a weakened immune system. How does zinc deficiency occur and how is it detected?
Zinc deficiency symptoms
The first signs of a zinc deficiency are skin and mucous membrane problems and a weakened immune system. The skin, mucous membranes and the immune system belong to the cell systems with a high cell division rate. Since zinc has a significant influence on cell division, cell formation and cell metabolism, in the case of zinc deficiency the processes can no longer take place as quickly as would be necessary for the cell systems.
The body shows the following symptoms:
- Acne and dermatitis (skin)
- Diarrhoea (intestinal mucosa)
- Taste disorders (oral mucosa)
- Wound healing disorders (skin, mucous membrane)
- Hair loss (hair follicles belong to the cell systems with a high cell division rate)
In addition to these specific symptoms, there are a number of other, more non-specific symptoms that can indicate a zinc deficiency:
- Fatigue and listlessness
- Concentration problems
- Fertility problems in men and women
- Growth or development disorders in children
- Depressive mood
- Neurological disorders
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Increased blood sugar levels
Many of these symptoms can be traced back to different causes. A symptom that appears does not necessarily mean a zinc deficiency. However, if several symptoms appear at the same time, zinc deficiency is suspected.
How zinc deficiency develops
Basically, there are three different possibilities that lead to zinc deficiency: increased zinc requirement, increased zinc loss and decreased zinc intake. There is also a very rare disease that leads to zinc deficiency: hereditary zinc deficiency syndrome.
Increased zinc requirement
Under special life circumstances and external influences, the body has an increased need for zinc.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a woman must not only cover her own zinc needs, but also those of her baby. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a significantly higher zinc intake during this time: about 30 percent more in the middle and end of pregnancy, and twice as much during breastfeeding.
Children and adolescents
One third of the total zinc content in the body is found in the bones. Zinc helps in the formation of bone building blocks, supports the formation of bone-building cells and activates them. That is why zinc is particularly important in the growth and development phases of children and adolescents. It not only interacts with other minerals, but also with body size; a zinc deficiency can lead to reduced length growth.
Stress and extreme mental strain
Stress is considered a zinc killer; zinc levels drop under extreme mental stress. This is particularly problematic because zinc improves stress tolerance.
Smoking, alcohol consumption and increased heavy metal exposure.
The body depends on zinc for the elimination of toxins such as nicotine, alcohol or heavy metals. Alcohol also increases the excretion of zinc via the kidneys.
Diseases (cancer or burns)
During chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the body's cells are exposed to an increased load of free radicals; the body needs more zinc to protect the cells from damage. Burns require large amounts of zinc for wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Competitive athletes
Intensive physical activity increases the loss of zinc through sweat and urine by a factor of 2 to 3. Up to 1 mg of zinc can be released per litre of sweat. However, the loss only becomes critical in the area of competitive sports from a weekly training duration of more than 20 hours. Most competitive athletes, however, take care to eat a balanced mixed diet and have an increased nutrient intake, so that zinc losses can be compensated for through food.
Illness and medication
Chronic gastrointestinal diseases are often accompanied by diarrhoea and vomiting. The increased excretion increases the risk of nutrient deficiency because food does not stay in the body long enough to absorb all the nutrients. In addition to zinc deficiency, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium deficiencies can also result.
Diabetes
In diabetics, an increased amount of zinc is excreted through the urine. The administration of certain medicines such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics (diuretic drugs), cortisone, hormone preparations (the pill) or laxatives also increase the excretion of zinc and increase the risk of a zinc deficiency.
Reduced zinc intake
Due to malnutrition
In the case of malnutrition, a distinction must be made between undernutrition and malnutrition. In malnutrition, the body basically receives too little food and thus too few vital and mineral nutrients. Today, malnutrition occurs mainly in developing countries, but the exaggerated slimming craze that is widespread among young people in industrialised countries can also lead to malnutrition.
Malnutrition is a type of malnutrition found mainly in industrialised countries. It covers the need for macronutrients (fat, protein, carbohydrates), but not the need for micronutrients (vitamins, minerals). Frequent consumption of fast food and industrially prepared convenience food can promote a mineral deficiency, especially a zinc deficiency.
In older people
More than 40 percent of senior citizens over the age of 65 suffer from a zinc deficiency. The efficiency of the gastrointestinal tract decreases with age, so the probability of developing a nutrient deficiency is slightly increased in old age. Older people suffer more from loss of appetite, and they are also more likely to take medications that can inhibit zinc absorption. Dietary habits also change with age: for example, phytate-rich wheat bran is consumed to regulate digestion, and white flour and dairy products are increasingly on the menu. These product groups are low in zinc or reduce zinc absorption in the small intestine.
With inflammation of the intestine
Zinc is absorbed from food into the bloodstream through the small intestine. A disturbance of this absorption process can lead to a reduced zinc absorption. If a person suffering from coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) ingests gluten, the intestinal mucosa becomes inflamed and over time the intestinal villi regress. However, these are very important because they increase the surface area of the intestine so that nutrients from food can be absorbed optimally. An inflamed intestine leads to impaired zinc absorption.
In hereditary zinc deficiency syndrome
Hereditary zinc deficiency syndrome is a very rare, congenital metabolic disorder with impaired zinc absorption. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which means that both parents can be healthy carriers of the trait. The disease affects one to nine out of one million people. The typical zinc deficiency symptoms appear a few months after birth with weaning. Those with the disease are dependent on lifelong zinc substitution, which is adapted to the respective stage of development. With continuous intake of the prescribed preparations, the patient can lead a largely normal life.
How zinc deficiency is detected
The symptoms of zinc deficiency are many, but many of these symptoms also show up in deficiencies of other nutrients. Getting certainty about a zinc deficiency is not so easy. A blood or urine analysis may indicate a definite zinc deficiency, but a value within the normal range does not rule out a zinc deficiency.
Nevertheless, zinc levels are often determined in the blood; the reference value for an adult is 70-110 micrograms of zinc per decilitre. However, since only about 2 percent of the body's zinc circulates in the blood and the remaining 98 percent is stored in the cells, the measurement is not always representative. As soon as the zinc level in the blood drops, the body transports zinc from the cells into the blood. Thus, the blood level can remain in the normal range over a longer period of time even if the zinc intake is insufficient. Only a measurement of less than 70 micrograms per decilitre indicates a definite zinc deficiency. The measurement in urine is also subject to fluctuations. In addition, both samples only show the current actual state, which is also subject to daily fluctuations.
Measurements in zinc stores, for example in the tissue, provide better information. However, this examination is not suitable for daily practice. The hair mineral analysis reflects the supply situation of the last weeks, but shows relatively large differences from person to person and is disturbed by external influences such as colouring the hair. If zinc deficiency is suspected, the zinc content in the blood is determined and the patient is examined for typical zinc deficiency symptoms. If the symptoms improve after a zinc cure, a zinc deficiency can be assumed. Many suppliers of zinc supplements offer online tests on their websites that ask about lifestyle habits and complaints. The result indicates the individual risk of a zinc deficiency.
Iron and zinc are absorbed through the intestinal mucosa in the same way. When high-dose iron is taken together with zinc from food supplements, the absorption of zinc is impeded. If iron is taken as a supplement together with food containing zinc, zinc absorption is not inhibited.
The reference value for zinc concentration in blood serum is 60 to 120 micrograms per decilitre for adults, and 75 to 100 micrograms for children. If the determination is made in blood plasma, the reference value is 60 to 145 milligrams per decilitre for women, 80 to 170 milligrams per decilitre for men and 75 to 100 milligrams per decilitre for children. Zinc can also be measured in urine, for which the urine must be collected over 24 hours. Values between 150 and 800 micrograms in the collected urine are considered normal.
The trace element supports the innate and adaptive immune defence against viruses and bacteria and helps to slow down excessive immune reactions. Selenium supports the normal function of the thyroid gland. It contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and associated cell damage caused by radicals. In addition, selenium is involved in the maintenance of hair and nails and contributes as a building block to normal sperm formation and thus to the fertility of men.
Zinc is needed for the production of collagen, the most important building block of the skin. A deficiency of zinc can interfere with healthy skin renewal and wound healing, which can cause inflammation, pimples, very dry and flaky skin, eczema and allergies.
Zinc has been shown to contribute to the maintenance of normal vision and normal vitamin A metabolism. Only with the help of zinc can the eyes absorb the vital vitamin A, which is necessary for visual acuity, colour perception and the distinction between light and dark. In addition, zinc is part of the body's protective system against oxidative damage that destroys the retina. The free radicals produced by the visual process are broken down by vitamins C and E and zinc.
Kryptopyrroluria, KPU for short, is said to be a hereditary disease that causes a metabolic disorder in horses. Building blocks of the blood pigment Hämoglobin bind increasingly to vitamin B6 and zinc, this „cryptopyroll-complex“verläs the body with the urine and can thus lead to a severe deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6. Numerous symptoms such as digestive disorders, skin problems, lung problems, fatigue, joint problems, nervousness or psychological behavioural problems are associated with KPU in horses. However, there are no scientifically sound studies proving the presence of cryptopyrroluria, the clinical picture is not recognised in human or veterinary medicine.
Zinc deficiency in dogs often manifests itself in coat and skin problems. Dull coat and even severe hair loss, brittle claws, dry skin and severe itching, but also cornification on the elbows can be visible symptoms. Increased susceptibility to infections, fungal infections and problems with vision can also indicate a zinc deficiency.
Contrary to popular belief, white spots on the nails do not indicate a nutrient deficiency, but are caused by the nail plate becoming damaged or pinched. If the injuries do not grow back together completely, air pockets will appear as white spots. There is no treatment, the spots grow out with the nail until the affected area can be cured.
Conclusion
Skin and mucous membrane problems as well as a weakened immune system can indicate a zinc deficiency. A blood analysis can prove a definite zinc deficiency, and a zinc cure is often prescribed due to an accumulation of zinc deficiency symptoms. Zinc deficiency is caused by increased need, increased loss or reduced zinc intake.
