Zinc is a naturally occurring mineral that a human requires as a regular part of his diet to maintain ideal nutrition. When a man fails to get enough zinc in his diet, he runs the risk of developing various side effects and medical conditions. Talk to a health car provider if you believe you have a zinc deficiency or if you need medical advice or assistance.
Zinc
Zinc plays an essential role in various bodily functions. The Office of Dietary Supplements, a service of the National Institutes of Health, reports that zinc is essential for cellular metabolism and also plays an important role in the immune system, protein synthesis and wound healing. Because the body has no zinc storage system, daily ingestion of zinc is essential for optimum bodily function.
Hypogonadism
Men with a severe zinc deficiency can develop hypogonadism, a condition in which the body fails to produce enough testosterone, according to mayoclinic.com. Symptoms associated with the condition differ depending on the person's age. A pubescent male with hypogonadism can exhibit symptoms such as impaired growth of body hair and decreased muscle mass, while adult males can experience erectile dysfunction, infertility and loss of bone mass, as well as mental and emotional changes.
Other Conditions
In addition to male hypogonadism, males with a zinc deficiency can experience other symptoms and conditions that are not exclusive to their gender. Zinc deficiencies can lead to growth retardation in children, loss of appetite and diminished immune system functions. More serious cases can cause hair loss, impotence, weight loss, mental lethargy and eye and skin lesions. People with digestional diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are more prone to developing a zinc deficiency because of the body's decreased ability to absorb nutrients.
Zinc Sources
A man experiencing a zinc deficiency can add specific foods to his diet to address the nutritional imbalance. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, foods such as oysters, beef shanks, Alaskan king crab, pork shoulder and various fortified breakfast cereals all have high amounts of zinc. A man not able to get enough zinc in his diet can also add to his intake with zinc supplements, though you should always consult a physician before choosing to take any dietary supplement.
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