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