Zinc is a type of mineral that your body needs in order to function; therefore, you should eat foods or take supplements that contain sufficient levels of zinc. Foods that are good sources of zinc include most types of meat, fish and dairy products, as well as different types of beans, grains, seeds and greens.
Recommended Daily Intake
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, males 14 years old or older need about 11 mg of zinc per day. Females need 9 mg of zinc per day from age 14 to 18, after which they need 8 mg of zinc. Babies need 2 mg of zinc per day until they are six months old. From seven months to three years old, they need 3 mg per day; from four to eight years, they need 5 mg; and from nine to 13 years old, they need 8 mg.
Hypogandism
According to Medline Plus by the National Institutes of Health, consuming insufficient levels of zinc can lead to an increased risk of hypogandism in men. In men, hypogandism means that the testicles are no hormones, or at least very low levels of hormones. Signs of hypogandism in men include loss of hair on the body or face, decrease in muscle mass, sexual malfunction and larger breasts.
Senses
Your body needs zinc to keep your senses, such as those of taste and smell, functioning properly. Zinc deficiency can cause a distortion in these senses -- for example, you may not be able to perceive sweet foods correctly. In some particularly severe cases, people who are zinc deficient may actually lose these senses entirely, although this is not common.
Other Signs
Zinc deficiency can lead to an increased risk of several other health conditions as well. These conditions include skin markings, growths and acne; slower healing of injuries and greater potential for infections; hair loss; reduced appetite and weight loss; digestive problems; delayed puberty; bone development problems; and vision problems, particularly in low light.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Zinc; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2009
- MedlinePlus; Zinc in Diet; Linda Vorvick, MD; March 2009
- MedlinePlus; Hypogonadism; Linda Vorvick, MD; October 2010
- MedlinePlus; Smell - Impaired; Linda J. Vorvick, MD; September 2009
- MedlinePlus; Taste - Impaired; James L. Demetroulakos, MD, FACS; March 2009
- Nationanl Institutes of Health; Zinc Deficiency; Ananda S. Prasad; February 2003
Member Comments