At any given time, there are 2 to 3 grams of zinc present in your body, and most of them can be found in your muscles, joints, bones, liver, kidneys, pancreas and even the retina. This is an indicator that the said mineral is so important. After all, it’s a role player in so many bodily processes — from the proper functioning of both red and white blood cells, conversion of carbs into energy to keeping your immune system in an excellent working condition.
Certainly, being deficient in zinc can bring about so many signs and symptoms which can definitely have a profound effect on your day-to-day living. The following are some of them:
You Don’t Feel Like Eating
Loss of appetite is one of the indicators of being deficient in zinc. Experts say that the fact that not getting enough zinc can impair your sense of taste and smell contributes further to losing your urge to have meals.
You’re Losing Hair
Zinc is a mineral so important for hair growth and health. It’s for this reason why not supplying your body with enough of this mineral can lead to hair loss and breakage. Oh, and you may lose eyebrow and eyelash hair, too!
You Have Terrible Skin
Do you have acne, psoriasis or eczema? Maybe you are not eating enough foods that are rich in zinc. The said mineral actually helps in zapping free radicals, deflecting UV radiation and synthesizing collagen.
You’re Always Anxious
Medical experts say that zinc is important for mood stabilization. That is why you may feel like you are constantly worried about something if your diet does not consist of enough zinc-containing foods like meat, spinach, beans and seeds.
Your Stress Levels are High
Zinc is also said to have anti-stress properties. In this day and age, it can be very challenging to keep one’s stress levels to a minimum. A simple way to have your stress controlled is by obtaining more zinc via the diet.
You Have Blurry Vision
Eye specialists say that zinc works hand in hand with vitamin A in keeping your retina in tip-top shape, thus warding off vision-related problems such as macular degeneration that can cost you your eyesight.
Your Joints are Achy
Earlier, it was mentioned that a lot of zinc can be found in your joints and bones. Lacking in the said mineral can leave your joints feeling painful and your bones prone to ending up fractured.
If you’re encountering some or all of these signs and symptoms, consider including more zinc-containing foods in your diet. It’s also a good idea to visit your doctor to see if you could benefit from taking zinc supplements.
Sources: prevention.com
