Zinc is widely distributed in the body—in bones, teeth, hair, skin, liver, muscle, white blood cells, and testes. It is a component of more than 100 enzymes, including those involved in the formation of RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). (See also Overview of Minerals.)
The level of zinc in the body depends on the amount of zinc consumed in the diet. Zinc is necessary for healthy skin, healing of wounds, and growth.
Much of the zinc consumed in the diet is not absorbed. A diet high in fiber and phytate (present in whole-grain bread, bran, beans, soybeans, other legumes, and nuts) reduces zinc absorption.
Many conditions can increase the risk of developing zinc deficiency. Deficiency due to a diet low in zinc is uncommon in developed countries. Zinc deficiency is more common among older people who live in institutions and people who are homebound.
What Can Cause Zinc Deficiency?
In acrodermatitis enteropathica, a rare hereditary disorder, zinc cannot be absorbed.
Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency
Early symptoms of zinc deficiency include a loss of appetite and, in infants and children, slowed growth and development. People may lose their hair in patches. They may feel sluggish and irritable. Taste and smell may be impaired. Rashes may develop. In men, sperm production may be reduced. The body’s immune system may be impaired, and wounds may heal more slowly and less completely.
If pregnant women have zinc deficiency, the baby may have birth defects and may weigh less than expected at birth.
In acrodermatitis enteropathica, symptoms usually appear when an affected infant is weaned. This disorder may result in diarrhea and hair loss. A rash develops around the eyes, nose, and mouth and on the buttocks. The immune system may be impaired, resulting in many infections. Infants may not grow as expected.
