The NHS says zinc helps with making new cells and enzymes, processing carbohydrate, fat and protein in food and wound healing. The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust says because zinc affects so many systems in the body, there is no single distinct symptom of zinc deficiency.
The health body says some of the more common symptoms include loss of or diminished smell and taste, poor wound healing, hair loss, roughening of skin, rashes, low libido in men, canker sores, lethargy, and deformed nails.
It states: “If symptoms progress, there can be serious immune problems, severe diarrhoea, severe hair loss (even total), loss of night vision, and significant rash around the mouth and genitals.”
It says other symptoms of zinc deficiency include infections, especially skin, respiratory, GI and urinary.
Some people also experience metallic taste in the mouth, lip fissures, cracked or peeling lips, anorexia and loss of appetite.
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The NHS says good sources of zinc include:
- Meat
- Shellfish
- Dairy foods
- Bread
- Cereal products.
The Department of Health and Social Care advises if you take zinc supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.
It states: “Do not take more than 25mg of zinc supplements a day unless advised to by a doctor.”
