Zinc (seng) is an important nutrient that is often found in various types of animal plants and meat. In the body, zinc plays an important role in maintaining skin health, optimizing the immune system, helping cell growth, and overcoming inflammation. Lack of zinc can cause a person to experience various body function disorders. What are the symptoms? Check out the following reviews.
Causes of Zinc Shortage (Seng)
Zinc is an important mineral needed in various body functions. Some of the benefits of zinc include:
- activation of more than 300 enzymes for metabolism, digestion, nerve function, and many other processes
- Supports the immune system
- Accelerating wound healing
- Supporting the development and function of immune cells
- Supporting skin health, DNA synthesis and protein production, as well as reducing acne
Most of the causes of zinc shortages are the lack of food intake that contains zinc. Other medical conditions can also cause a person to experience a zinc deficiency such as having a zinc celiac disease, experiencing chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes, and chronic diarrhea.
Also read: The Impact Of Eating Zinc (Seng) Excessively
Signs Of Zinc Shortage Body (Seng)
The need for zinc in the human body generally ranges from 8-11 mg per day. Although not needed in large quantities, a person can experience a shortage of zinc.
Sometimes, the symptoms of zinc deficiency are not shown in special symptoms and are similar to other nutritional deficiencies. In conditions of zinc deficiency, the symptoms that appear tend to be related to the role of zinc in the body. Some of the symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
Skin and hair
- Ruam kulit (especially around the mouth)
- Delayed wound healing
- Tukak kulit
- Rambutt rontok
- Acne Appears
Immuneity and breathing
- It will take longer for the healing process
- Frequent flu
- Symptoms of deteriorating asthma
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
Sensory
- Lowering the ability to smell and taste
- Vision problems in the elderly
Cognitive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
Sexual health
- Sexual function disorders
Slowdown in growth
Children under five are at risk of experiencing growth delays due to lack of zinc. Children who lack zinc tend to experience a decrease in appetite, causing children's body weight to be below normal and other nutritional deficiencies needed in growth.
Also read: Getting To Know Hemokroxis, When The Body Is Excess Iron
Handling Zinc Shortage (Seng)
The handling of people who experience a lack of zinc is by meeting the daily zinc needs through food or supplements.
Consumption of foods that contain zinc
If you are diagnosed with a lack of zinc, you can fulfill it by changing your diet. Start eating foods that contain a lot of zinc like:
- Red meat
- zinc-enriched series
- Yoghurt
- Arab Beans
- Oatmeal
- Milk
- Tiram
- poultry meat
For vegetarians, you can get zinc from nuts such as mete nuts, guucine, and almons.
Supplement
You can also meet zinc needs by taking zinc supplements. Before taking supplements, you should first consult a doctor regarding the required dose. You also need to be careful in consuming zinc because it can trigger drug interactions, especially in antibiotic drugs, joint inflammation, and diuretic drugs.
Lack of zinc can be caused by a lack of food intake that contains zinc or other conditions. If you experience symptoms of zinc deficiency, you should check with a doctor or take advantage of a consultation feature on the Ai Care application which can be downloaded via App Store and Play Store.
Want to know information about nutrition, food and other diet tips? Check here, yes!
- dr Nadia Opmalina
Watson, K. (2019). Zinc Deficiency. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/zinc-deficiency
Health Direct. Zinc Deficiency. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/zinc-deficiency
MSD Manual. Zinc Deficiency. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/minerals/zinc-deficiency
Nall, R. (2023). All you need to know about zinc deficiency. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320393
Bass, P. (2023). Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency and How It's Treated. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/zinc-deficiency-201070