What happens when there’s a lack of zinc in the body?

Zinc helps the body grow and stay healthy. A deficiency of zinc can cause hair loss, poor night vision, more frequent infections and a reduced sense of taste and smell; additionally, skin changes can occur causing acne and delayed wound healing.

Older adults may be at risk for zinc dificiency due to poor dietary choices, the use of zinc-depleting medications, and the body's natural malabsorption of zinc in the elderly.

Other side effects from a lack of zinc in the body include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Erectile dysfunction and delayed sexual maturation
  • Decreased testosterone levels in men (hypogonadism)
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste
  • Lower ability of fighting infections; more frequent infections
  • Increased risk of prostate disease
  • Poor development of reproductive organs
  • Stunted growth (in children)
  • Diarrhea
  • Eye and skin lesions
  • Weight loss
  • Enlarged liver and spleen
  • Anemia

Problems Zinc Can Help Treat:

Zinc has long been used to help treat many illnesses, conditions and diseases, including:

  • Common colds
  • Acne vulgaris
  • Childhood Malnutrition
  • Herpes
  • Infertility
  • Immune Deficiency in AIDS patients
  • Leg ulcers
  • Osteoporosis
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Wilson's disease
  • Taste or smell disorders

Can you overdose on zinc? The average recommended daily dose of zinc is 15 mg/day.
Too much zinc can lead to dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin. In rare cases, if there are large doses consumed, a person may experience chills, fever, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, sore throat, unusual tiredness or weakness, abdominal pain, decrease in levels of good cholesterol, permanent loss of smell, continuing ulcers or sores in mouth or throat.

What happens when there’s too much zinc in the body? Too much zinc can cause gastrointestinal irritation (upset stomach) and cause immune deficiency. It can interfere with copper absorption and cause copper deficiency.

Items to be cautious about:

  • Allergies: Speak with your doctor about any allergies you have to substances like food, preservatives, dyes

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  • Pregnancy: Zinc should only be taken if necessary and with a doctor’s permission.

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  • Breastfeeding: Mothers and babies need the correct amount of vitamins and minerals. However, discuss any supplements
    • with your physician before taking them.
  • Children: Speak to your pediatrician about giving zinc to children under 11 years of age

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  • Medicines or other dietary supplements

What’s the easiest way to determine if I’m zinc deficient?

While it is best to talk to you doctor for a proper medical diagnosis, here is a trick… try a tablespoon of liquid zinc. If it tastes bitter or gross, your zinc levels are normal. If it tastes sweet, you’re zinc deficient.   

To find out the best ways to increase zinc in your body, click here.