Common Causes Of Zinc Deficiencies

Certain groups of people who need higher zinc intake

There are certain groups of people or phases in life where increased daily intake of zinc is needed. These include:

* Old age – zinc intake and absorption tend to be lower
* Pregnancy and lactation – zinc needs are higher
* Puberty, infancy and other periods of growth spurts – zinc needs are higher
* Women who use oral contraceptives – these are high in copper

Broadly speaking, infants, adolescents, women and elderly persons have higher incidences of zinc deficiency, due to insufficient intake.

Health conditions linked to reduced zinc absorption or increased zinc needs

Diabetes, diarrhea, kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis are some health conditions which reduce zinc levels in the body.

Here is a more comprehensive listing:

* Acrodermatitis enteropathica – according to Wikipedia, this is an “autosomal recessive metabolic disorder affecting the uptake of zinc”
* Alcoholic cirrhosis
* Burns
* Celiac disease
* Chronic blood loss
* Chronic disease – for example, cancer
* Cirrhosis
* Diabetes mellitus
* Diarrhea
* Hepatic disease
* Infections or inflammation – chronic or acute
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Intestinal resection
* Malabsorption – from pancreatic insufficiency or post gastrointestinal surgery
* Pancreatic insufficiency
* Parasites – could result in poorer absorption and depletion of zinc
* Psoriasis – could cause depletion of zinc
* Renal disease – more zinc than normal is excreted
* Serious injury – wound healing uses up a lot of zinc, causing depletion
* Short bowel syndrome

Lifestyle habits and situations or undergoing certain treatments

These are additional life situations which cause zinc loss or increase zinc needs.

* Alcoholism – alcohol flushes zinc out from the liver
* Sports – additional zinc is lost through sweat
* Stress – raises the body’s use of zinc

* Dialysis
* Diuretic therapy – could cause more zinc loss
* Hospitalization – the stress of sickness or treatments
* Surgery

References

Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. 5th ed. New York, NY: Avery, 2010. Print.

Haas, Elson M., MD, and Levin, Buck, PhD, RD. Staying Healthy With Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine. New York, NY: Celestial Arts, 2006. Print.

Murray, Michael T., ND. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 1996. Print.

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