Minerals are needed for the execution of body functions, the continuation of construction and repair activities, the realization of metabolic reactions, the protection of hormonal balance and many other functions.
What is Zinc Deficiency?
Zinc is a type of mineral that has important roles in cell division and immune system in the body. This mineral, which supports cell functions, acts as a cofactor for more than 100 enzymes and plays a role in the realization of chemical reactions in the body.
In addition,
- maintaining the working order of the immune system,
- protecting the senses of smell and taste,
- maintaining the health of hair and nails. protection,
- fast healing of wounds,
- fulfillment of sexual functions and reproduction.
- Zinc, which also plays a vital role in growth and development; It is a nutrient that increases the need for infants and children, as well as pregnant women.
Zinc is a mineral that cannot be stored in the body and must be taken into the body continuously with food. Therefore, although the amount of need is not very high, its deficiency is common.
Why Zinc Deficiency Causes?
Zinc deficiency may be due to insufficient intake of zinc in the body as a result of unhealthy or unbalanced diet, or it may develop as a result of any acute or chronic disease. In this case, disruptions occur in the processes that the body needs zinc to perform, and various symptoms occur.
What are the Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency?
Mineral deficiency may not cause any obvious symptoms that will disturb the person in the early period. However, if the deficiency continues for a long time, symptoms of zinc deficiency occur.
Common symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
- Unexplained weight loss,
- Delayed wound healing and open sores on the skin, < l i>Anorexia,
- Weakness and drowsiness,
- Decreased sense of taste and smell,
- Diarrhea,
- Restrictions in growth and development , slow growth,
- Weakening of the immune system,
- Delayed sexual maturation,
- Hair loss is observed.
In addition, if the increased zinc requirement of pregnant women cannot be met, various adverse events may occur. The most important of these is the retardation in the growth and development of the baby.
In case of deficiency of zinc, which is also effective on sexual functions, a healthy pregnancy may be difficult in couples who plan pregnancy, impotence in men and ovulation disorders in women can be seen.
What are the Causes of Zinc Deficiency?
The most important cause of zinc deficiency is insufficient dietary zinc intake. Meeting the zinc requirement may be delayed due to many reasons such as not consuming adequate amounts of natural foods with high zinc content, applying low-calorie diets for a long time, and applying one-way nutrition programs. When this situation continues for a long time, the severity of mineral deficiency may increase and the symptoms may intensify.
Due to problems related to digestion and absorption, the absorption level of zinc mineral taken with food may decrease and zinc loss may occur from the body.
Likewise, some chronic diseases can lead to disruptions in zinc absorption or loss of zinc from the body. Other than nutritional reasons, some of the causes that may play a role in an underlying zinc deficiency are:
- Alcohol addiction,
- Celiac disease,
- Chronic liver and kidney diseases,
- Chronic diarrhea,
- Cancer,
- Intestinal diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis,
- Sickle cell anemia,
- Diabetes (diabetes) disease,
- Pancreatic diseases.
How is Zinc Deficiency Diagnosed?
Patients presenting with zinc deficiency symptoms In patients, the level of zinc in the blood plasma is checked. In addition, zinc deficiency can be detected by methods such as urine test and hair analysis. In cases where these tests cannot be performed, the dietary history can be investigated by going through the clinical symptoms.
Dietitian The vitamin and mineral contents of the diet can be investigated by taking the patient's three-day, five-day or seven-day food consumption record from the shelf. In addition, considering the other accompanying diseases of the patient, health problems that may cause zinc deficiency can be evaluated.
In patients diagnosed with zinc deficiency, the cause of this situation should be investigated. For this, screening for various diseases can be done. If there is any malabsorption or chronic disease that may lead to zinc deficiency, additional treatment should be initiated for them.
It is important to educate patients about how a correct nutrition plan should be in disorders related to the nutrition plan, in order to prevent the condition from recurring after treatment.
How is Zinc Deficiency Treatment?
In the treatment of zinc deficiency, dietary supplements rich in zinc are one of the preferred treatment methods in almost all patients. In addition, investigating the causes of zinc deficiency is of great importance in terms of treatment success.
The most common cause of zinc deficiency is nutritional problems. However, some patients may develop mineral deficiency due to digestive system diseases, absorption disorders, various chronic diseases, increased zinc requirement due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. Additional treatments are started for the diseases that cause the disease.
Among the best sources of zinc mineral;
- whole grains,
- red and white meat,
- eggs,
- seafood,
- liver,
- enriched cereals.
In addition to zinc deficiency, deficiencies in other minerals such as copper and iron can also be observed in some cases. In this case, supplements and treatment applications are also made for them.
Vitamin and vegan diet in individuals with vegetarian and vegan diet The likelihood of mineral deficiencies increases significantly. Nutritional status should be evaluated more frequently in these patients, and nutritional supplements should be continued at lower doses in the post-treatment period if deemed necessary by the physician.
As elderly individuals, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are at higher risk for zinc deficiency, individuals in this group should also be evaluated periodically in terms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Severe and chronic zinc deficiency is treated. It can be life-threatening if left untreated. In patients;
- frequent infection,
- hypogonadism,
- weight loss,
- emotional disorders,
- dermatitis,
- alopecia (hair loss)
- impaired taste sensation,
- night blindness,
- loss of appetite,
- delay in wound healing
- high blood ammonium values are observed.
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