| Only within the latter half of the twentieth | | | | periods or time will result in overdose |
| century has the importance of the mineral | | | | symptoms, so stick to that suggested intake. |
| zinc in human physiology been established. It | | | | A zinc deficiency can be caused by a poor |
| wasn't until 1961 that zinc deficiency was | | | | diet, inability to properly absorb any zinc, |
| first described. A type of dwarfism was | | | | alcoholism, extensive burns, long term kidney |
| identified in the Middle East at that time | | | | disease, sickle cell disease, some diuretics |
| which was linked to low dietary intake of | | | | will make you lose zinc, pregnancy (you'll |
| zinc in a usable form for human use. Since | | | | need a higher dosage of zinc at this time), |
| then zinc deficiency has been linked to a | | | | and some other genetic disorders. Mild cases |
| range of ailments and illnesses. Zinc itself | | | | of zinc deficiency will cause weight loss, |
| is a metal found naturally in our | | | | some lose of taste and smell, some swelling |
| environment, but it usually is present in | | | | of the tongue and mouth, slow growth, hair |
| very small amounts. Since the development of | | | | loss, rashes, low sperm count, delayed wound |
| the metals industry a lot more zinc has found | | | | healing and inflammation of the nail bed. If |
| its way into streams, rivers and the ground. | | | | you are pregnant it is important to take a |
| Zinc is used by the human body in small | | | | higher dosage of zinc. Zinc deficiency in the |
| amounts and only about twenty percent of the | | | | mother has been linked to low birth weight, |
| zinc found in plants that we eat is absorbed, | | | | premature birth and anencephaly (a tragic |
| likely because it is in a form that is | | | | malformation of the fetus.) More Severe cases |
| difficult for our bodies to absorb. Also | | | | of zinc deficiency will cause a stop in |
| because chemicals in our diet from other | | | | growth and maturation of children, sometimes |
| foods such as whole wheat grain inhibit zinc | | | | resulting in a form of dwarfism. Poor |
| absorption. Interestingly strict vegetarians | | | | testicular functioning can result. There will |
| are at a risk of zinc deficiency. While zinc | | | | also be increased problems with the eye such |
| is present in plants, it is also present in | | | | as, optic neuritis, cataract formation, and |
| an easier to absorb form in meat. The | | | | poor color formation. Zinc deficiency will |
| recommended daily intake of zinc for men is | | | | also lead to immune disorders, and |
| nine and a half milligrams and for women it | | | | dermatitis. A lack of zinc is also found to |
| is seven milligrams. While it can be | | | | result in anorexia. Researchers believe zinc |
| difficult for your body to absorb zinc taking | | | | is used by the body in some way to create |
| high doses of it or being exposed to high | | | | appetite, and without zinc in the body there |
| amounts of zinc in your environment for long | | | | is no appetite. |