Zinc deficiency

Zinc Deficiency

Zinc deficiency (pronounced: zink de-fish-en-see) is a condition where the body lacks sufficient zinc, an essential trace mineral, to function optimally.

Etymology

The term "Zinc" is derived from the German word "Zink", which may be related to the Persian word "sing", meaning stone. The term "deficiency" comes from the Latin word "deficientia", meaning "a lack or shortage".

Symptoms

Zinc deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including growth retardation, loss of appetite, and impaired immune function. In severe cases, it can lead to hair loss, diarrhea, impotence, eye and skin lesions, and delayed sexual maturation.

Causes

Zinc deficiency can be caused by inadequate dietary intake of zinc, malabsorption of zinc, or increased loss of zinc from the body. Certain conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of zinc deficiency.

Treatment

Treatment for zinc deficiency typically involves increasing dietary intake of zinc or taking zinc supplements. Foods high in zinc include oysters, red meat, and poultry.

Related Terms

• Zinc
• Mineral
• Supplement
• Malnutrition
• Micronutrient deficiency

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Zinc deficiency
• Wikipedia's article - Zinc deficiency

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