Zinc is one of those minerals that does a lot of different things throughout the body. So if you’re not getting enough of it, the signs can seem random and unrelated. Knowing the symptoms of zinc deficiency can help you connect these somewhat disparate symptoms and take steps to correct the shortfall and improve your health.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), zinc is an essential mineral that powers the immune system, ensures that cuts and scrapes are able to heal, and helps support healthy fetal development during pregnancy, among other roles. While zinc deficiency is relatively rare in the U.S., there are certain groups who are at a higher risk than others. These include people with eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions, said Jessica Crandall, R.D.N., owner of Vital RD. Vegetarians and vegans are also at a higher risk since many foods that are high in zinc are animal foods, such as oysters, beef, pork, and turkey.
Meet the experts: Jessica Crandall, R.D.N., owner of Vital RD; Melissa Mroz-Planells, D.C.N., R.D.N., national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board.
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