Zinc deficiency and benefits and how high Iron level interferes with Zinc?

By SWA

 Part 1: A short summary: Zinc deficiency

Part 2: How high Iron level interferes with Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in many aspects of human health.

Zinc Deficiency

  1. Causes:

    • Poor dietary intake.
    • Malabsorption syndromes.
    • Chronic illnesses like liver disease, renal disease.
    • Certain medications.

  2. Symptoms:

    • Weakened immune system.
    • Delayed wound healing.
    • Hair loss.
    • Loss of appetite.
    • Skin and eye lesions.
    • Altered taste and smell.

  1. Causes:

    • Poor dietary intake.
    • Malabsorption syndromes.
    • Chronic illnesses like liver disease, renal disease.
    • Certain medications.

  2. Symptoms:

    • Weakened Immune System: Zinc is crucial for the maintenance and development of immune cells. Deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
     
    • Delayed wound healing.
    • Zinc plays a significant role in skin health and wound healing. A deficiency can result in slower healing of cuts, abrasions, and skin lesions.
      Delayed Healing of Ulcers: Zinc is essential for the maintenance of gastrointestinal lining. A deficiency can slow the healing of gastric ulcers.
     
    • Hair Loss: Zinc is essential for cell growth and repair. A deficiency can cause hair loss, thinning, or baldness due to impaired hair follicle regeneration. 

    • Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss: Zinc is vital for maintaining a healthy appetite. Deficiency can lead to a decreased sense of taste and smell, reducing the desire to eat and potentially leading to weight loss.
      Diarrhea: Especially in children, zinc deficiency is associated with an increased incidence and severity of diarrhea.
     
    • Skin and eye lesions.
      Dermatological Issues      : Skin problems like acne, eczema, and dermatitis can worsen or be more difficult to treat in the absence of adequate zinc levels.
      Eye Health: Zinc is present in high concentrations in the eye, and its deficiency can contribute to vision problems and age-related macular degeneration.
    • Altered taste and smell.

  3. Risks:

    • More common in infants, children, pregnant women, and elderly.
    • Vegans and vegetarians may be at higher risk due to lower bioavailability of zinc in plant-based foods.

  4. Diagnosis:

    • Blood plasma or serum zinc levels.
      What does zinc plasma or serum test for?
      Determination of plasma zinc is the most widely used parameter for assessing the body status of this trace element. Plasma zinc levels are influenced by a wide variety of conditions, including infections and other factors causing stress. Low plasma zinc levels are not always indicative of zinc deficiency.
       
    • Symptoms and dietary history.

  5. Treatment:

    • Zinc supplements.
    • Dietary changes to include more zinc-rich foods.

Benefits of Zinc

  1. Immune Function:

    • Essential for immune cell function and signaling.
    • Can reduce the duration of common colds when taken at onset.

  2. Wound Healing:

    • Important for skin integrity and structure.
    • Plays a role in collagen synthesis.

  3. Growth and Development:

    • Crucial during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood for growth and development.

  4. Reproductive Health:

    • Important for male reproductive health, including testosterone production.

  5. Antioxidant Properties:

    • Protects cells from oxidative stress.

  6. Mental Health:

    • Involved in neurotransmitter function, which can impact mood and brain function.
      Behavioral and Mood Disturbances: Zinc influences neurotransmitter pathways and brain function, and its deficiency can lead to mood swings, irritability, and depression.
      Deficiency can impact cognitive functions, including learning and memory.

  7. Taste and Smell:

    • Essential for the proper function of these senses.
      Zinc plays a role in brain function and neurotransmitter regulation.
      
  8. Zinc supplements interfere with TSH levels?
People who have hypothyroidism produce too much TSH. Consequently, people with hypothyroidism are at an increased risk of depleting zinc in the body. Thus, it is essential to stabilize your TSH to keep zinc levels steady in your body.

That means that sometimes TSH may appear lower than it is. Biotin is a common ingredient in many supplements designed to improve hair, skin, and nails.

Dietary Sources

  • Animal Sources: Meat, shellfish, dairy.
  • Plant Sources: Legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains.


Part2:  High levels of iron in the body can interfere with the absorption and metabolism of zinc. This occurs due to several reasons:

It's important to maintain a balanced intake of both iron and zinc, as an imbalance can lead to various health issues.

  1. Competitive Absorption: Iron and zinc both use the same transport proteins for absorption in the small intestine. When there is an excess of iron, it can outcompete zinc for absorption, leading to decreased zinc uptake.

  2. Binding and Precipitation: High levels of iron can change the pH and environment in the gut, which can lead to the binding or precipitation of zinc, making it less available for absorption.

  3. Regulatory Mechanisms: The body has a regulatory mechanism to balance the absorption of different minerals. When there is an excess of one mineral, like iron, the body may downregulate the absorption of others, such as zinc, to maintain a balance.

  4. Oxidative Stress: Excess iron can contribute to oxidative stress, which can negatively impact zinc levels and its functions in the body. Zinc is known for its antioxidant properties, and a high iron level may deplete zinc reserves as the body tries to counteract oxidative stress.

 

 

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