Zinc is an essential micronutrient for maintaining human health and nutrition. A deficiency in zinc can lead to various digestive, metabolic, and neurological disorders…
Zinc is involved in the function of over 300 enzymes in crucial biological reactions, including digestive enzymes, and is particularly important for the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, as well as the synthesis, secretion, and activity of many important growth hormones such as Growth Hormone (GH), Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), testosterone, insulin, and thymulin.
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| Breastfeeding ensures adequate zinc levels for infants (Image: webtretho) |
Therefore, zinc is essential for gene transcription, reproduction, cell regeneration, and division; it is necessary for normal growth and development of immune, digestive, brain, endocrine, bone, muscle functions, sexual maturation, and antioxidant protection. Zinc deficiency leads to reduced energy consumption and is often associated with a lack of energy and many other nutrients…
Causes of Zinc Deficiency
According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Danh from the Ho Chi Minh City Nutrition Center, the causes of zinc deficiency often include: Increased zinc demand that is unmet: low birth weight infants, rickets, periods of rapid growth; adults during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or recovery from illness.
Reduced intake or lack of zinc in the diet: an unbalanced diet, lack of animal protein, dietary restrictions, long-term vegetarianism, fasting, prolonged intravenous feeding.
Poor digestion or absorption (in chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, prolonged treatment for iron deficiency).
Loss of zinc due to acute diarrhea, burns, fractures, bleeding, sweating, nephrotic syndrome, hemolytic anemia, trauma, surgery, long-term use of diuretics, drainage or leakage of the upper intestine, etc.
Clinical Manifestations
Mild to moderate zinc deficiency is quite common. According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Danh, this condition arises from poor nutrition combined with other harmful disorders. Specific manifestations can be observed as follows:
Malnutrition: Slow growth, mild to moderate malnutrition, stunted height growth, reduced milk production, and severe illnesses.
Digestive and metabolic disorders: Children may experience reduced energy consumption, such as loss of appetite or decreased intake, avoidance of meat and fish, slow digestion, mild constipation; prolonged nausea and vomiting in children, nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) in pregnant women.
Neurological and psychological disorders: Sleep disturbances (restlessness, insomnia), frequent awakenings at night, prolonged night crying. Nervous exhaustion (headaches, irritability, memory impairment). Emotional disturbances (apathy, indifference, depression, personality changes). Diminished brain activity, lethargy, delusions, speech coordination issues, disturbances in taste and smell, disabilities, cerebral palsy, developmental delays…
Impaired immune function: Recurrent infections in the respiratory tract (rhinitis, recurrent bronchitis, gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, boils, pustules, mucosal infections)…
Epithelial damage: Dry skin, facial skin inflammation, hyperpigmentation, skin peeling, thickening and cracking of the heels, oral mucosal inflammation, glossitis, slow-healing wounds, allergies. Nail dystrophy, nail fold inflammation, brittle hair, hair loss.
Eye damage: Photophobia, inability to adapt to darkness, night blindness, xerophthalmia, corneal ulcers.
Severe zinc deficiency is characterized by specific lesions: dermatitis, keratosis, darkening and peeling of the skin on the outer part of the lower legs (ichthyosis), hair loss, nail dystrophy (wrinkled nails, white streaks, slow growth), dry eyes. Perianal and vulvar inflammation, diarrhea. Increased susceptibility to infections, leading to recurrent infections. Nervous stimulation, cognitive disturbances, hypersomnia, developmental delays. Sexual development delays, decreased gonadal function, low sperm count, impotence. Severe malnutrition, stunting…
At-risk groups for zinc deficiency: Zinc supplementation should be included in the diet for cases of increased zinc demand; reduced digestion or absorption of zinc; increased zinc loss; congenital or chronic diseases leading to zinc deficiency. Continuous stress, diabetes, Down syndrome, sickle cell disease, psoriasis, allergies, liver failure, alcohol dependence, alcoholic cirrhosis, acute hepatitis, chronic kidney disease, pancreatic disease, malignant blood disorders, chronic infections (tuberculosis, AIDS…). Children with disabilities accompanied by malnutrition such as cerebral palsy, weight loss, muscle atrophy, low serum albumin, severe illnesses (surgery, trauma…).
Prevention and Treatment
In the aforementioned cases, it is essential to consult a specialist for examination and treatment recommendations. To prevent zinc deficiency, one should choose zinc-rich foods or foods fortified with zinc. Preventing zinc deficiency in children should be prioritized alongside preventing zinc deficiency in mothers from pregnancy (especially when signs of morning sickness, loss of appetite, reduced intake, and fetal growth retardation are present).
Breastfeeding (without weaning before 12 months). After 4-6 months, due to rapid growth and increased demand, if there is insufficient breast milk, cow’s milk should be provided. Additional zinc can be introduced through complementary feeding or oral zinc supplementation (5 mg of Zn per day).
Infants weighing less than 2.5 kg should receive zinc supplementation starting from the second month after birth. Ensure a varied and sufficient diet for children, particularly foods derived from animals (meat, fish, eggs, milk, seafood, silkworms, beef, frog meat… (frog meat must be thoroughly cooked, removing all intestines, liver, eggs, and skin). Prevent infections. Ensure children receive adequate nutrition during and after infections, diarrhea…
