Zinc is an essential trace element needed in minute amounts by the human body. Zinc is required for a wide variety of critical cellular functions, including growth, vision and the immune response. A deficiency in zinc can cause several different symptoms, including fatigue. If you think you might have a zinc deficiency, consult a qualified health care practitioner to discuss your concerns.
Chronic Fatigue
When the body does not have sufficient zinc to meet its needs, a wide range of biological processes are affected. Zinc deficiencies are thought to contribute to many different health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS. One small study involving 33 subjects found a correlation between CFS and low serum zinc levels, reports a study published in the February 2006 issue of the "Journal of Affective Disorders."
Growth
Zinc is involved in regulating the activity of roughly 100 different biochemical reactions in the body, explains the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, including many reactions involved in cell division and growth. Possible symptoms of a zinc deficiency include unintended weight loss, hair loss, stunted growth, delayed sexual maturity and impotence. Additionally, in women, a zinc deficiency may result in missed menstrual periods.
Immune Function
Many cells of the immune system require zinc to function properly, and zinc deficiencies can result in a weakened immune response to infection. When the immune response is weakened, infections and sickness are more common, MedlinePlus reports. A zinc deficiency can also lead to recurring skin lesions and rashes, as well as wounds that take a long time to heal.
Additional Symptoms
Zinc deficiencies can cause many other symptoms, including loss of sense of smell and taste, difficulty seeing at night and unusual white spots on the fingernails. Severe, chronic diarrhea is also possible. In addition, mental effects, such as confusion and mental lethargy, are also possible, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health.
References
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; Lower Serum Zinc in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Relationships to Immune Dysfunctions and Relevance for the Oxidative Stress Status in CFS; Michael Maes et al.; February 2006
- Office of Dietary Supplements; Zinc; April 2011
- MedlinePlus; Zinc in diet; Alison Evert, et al.; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Zinc; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; June 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Zinc; Jane Higdon et al.; February 2008
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