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Deterioration of appearance can "say" that the body suffers from zinc deficiency: in particular, this is indicated by spots on the nails, problems with the skin and hair. Meanwhile, zinc is an incredibly important mineral in winter, because the state of the immune system and general health depends on its abundance.
Zinc is called the "mineral of beauty" for a reason. It is second only to iron as the most common mineral in the human body. One of the main functions of zinc is to support healthy skin, hair, teeth and nails, not to mention the functioning of our libido and immune system. Zinc is necessary for the activity of more than 300 enzymes that cause biochemical reactions in the body, which are necessary for protein synthesis, hormone production, and general well-being.
According to the World Health Organization, about 31 percent of people worldwide are zinc deficient. Strict vegetarians and vegans, people who abuse alcohol, as well as those who suffer from eczema and psoriasis are especially prone to its deficiency (these diseases are characterized by processes that reduce the absorption of zinc by the body).
Zinc deficiency leads to a weakening of the immune system, an increase in colds, poor wound healing, fatigue and low sex drive. However, these changes are not always noticed in a timely manner. There are other signs of zinc deficiency that can be detected just by looking in the mirror
You are losing your hair. Pronounced hair loss against the background of constant colds is one of the key symptoms of zinc deficiency. The mineral is necessary for good cell replication and protein absorption, and these functions provide us with thicker and shinier hair. Its deficiency always "hits" the hair.
You have brittle nails with white spots on them. A stable level of zinc in the body is necessary for the growth of tissues and cells in the nails; with its lack, general problems with nails invariably arise, which, for example, can appear in the form of white spots. If you start consuming more zinc, improving the condition of your nails will be the first or one of the body's initial signals that the level of the mineral is full.
Your teeth lack shine and whiteness. Zinc is an important element in the mouth - it is present in dental plaque, saliva and enamel. In the case of zinc deficiency, adverse changes occur in the oral cavity: for example, an unpleasant odor appears, a coating on the tongue, taste sensations change. In addition, with low zinc levels, it is impossible to have beautiful, shiny, white teeth; lack of mineral makes them weak.
You have mouth ulcers. Doctors note that patients with a low level of zinc in the blood often have recurrent inflammatory processes and ulcers in the oral cavity.
Spots and pimples appear on your skin. According to data published in the Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology, 54% of people who suffer from acne have low zinc levels.
"People with a zinc deficiency can also have usually flabby skin, on which you can see ulcers and marks that do not heal or require a long time to heal," adds dermatologist Hryhoriy Goldin.
Your bones are weak. Usually everyone talks about calcium for bones, but zinc is also an important mineral needed for bone growth and formation. It ensures the growth and development of cells, as well as the exchange of collagen necessary for healthy bones. Weak and brittle bones are the result of zinc deficiency.
How to get zinc. Some of the best sources of zinc are red meats such as beef, pork and lamb – the zinc in these foods is highly bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb it more easily from them compared to other sources. To provide the body with zinc, you should eat up to 500 grams of cooked red meat per week.
