Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : October 8, 2015, 12:11 PM
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Did you know lack of zinc in the body hinders normal growth and development? Not only this, it plays a key role in strengthening the immune system and also helps in proper sexual development. And thus, lack of this mineral not only affects your sex life but has many adverse effects on the body. Here are some of the common symptoms of zinc deficiency you need to know.
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Nail abnormalities: Your nails can reveal if your suffer from zinc deficiency. If you have inflamed cuticles or experience cracked fingertips, it means you have to load up your intake of zinc. And what’s better than eating oysters, nuts and spinach to achieve this!
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Low sex desire: A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that lack of zinc in the body lowers testosterone levels and also reduces sperm count in a healthy man. So to improve your sexual desire, don’t forget to include zinc rich foods in your diet.
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Alteration in taste: Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis of gustin, a protein that aids in the repair and maintenance of taste buds, reported a study by Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine & Radiology. With zinc deficiency, there is decreased production of this protein, which in turn causes altered taste in the mouth.
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Sweet cravings: It might seem common to crave for sweet after eating lunch or dinner, but this could also indicate lack of zinc in the body. The study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE showed that eating zinc-rich foods reduced the cravings to a great extent.
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Hair fall: Did you know that lack of zinc in the body might lead to dryness of the scalp? It also causes breakage and thinning of hair if not dealt in time, says nutritionist Priya Kathpal. So if you are suffering from this issue, increase your intake of zinc to fight hair fall.
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Low immunity: If you find it difficult to recover quickly from an infection or an inflammation, blame it on your low blood levels of zinc. Because, zinc not only strengthens your immune response but also enhances the production of immune cells to fight infections.
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Cracked heels: Dr Jaishree Sharad, in her book ‘Skin Talks’, has mentioned that cracked heels are one of the key symptoms of zinc deficiency. In addition to this, lack of zinc also leads to poor wound healing, further aggravating your condition. So make sure your diet contains zinc along with using natural remedies to deal with cracked heels.
