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