Page 24 - ARUBA TODAY

A24 HEALTH
Wednesday 10 OctOber 2018
Zinc Deficiency

fected as well. ence improvement from taking a zinc supple-
People who are deficient in zinc are prone to ment. Another condition that zinc can be help-
getting more and longer lasting infections. Zinc ful for is benign prostatic hypertrophy, a com-
acts as an immune booster, in part due to stim- mon cause of abnormally frequent urination
ulation of the thymus gland. This gland tends to in older men. Taking an extra 30 mg a day for
shrink with age, and consequently produces three to six months offers symptomatic relief for
less of the hormones that boost the production some men.
of infection-fighting white blood cells. Supple- Oysters are tremendously high in zinc. Some
mental zinc can reverse this tendency and im- sources, such as whole grains, beans, and nuts,
prove immune function. have good zinc content but the fiber in these
By: Dr Carlos Viana Zinc has become a popular remedy for the foods prevents it from being absorbed well.
common cold and using a supplement when Foods with better utilized zinc include beef,
symptoms occur may significantly shorten the chicken, turkey, milk, cheese, and yogurt. Pure
Zinc compounds were known as far back as duration of the illness. The only form of zinc maple syrup also is a good source of zinc.
three thousand years in China and India. In proven effective for this purpose is the zinc glu- Since meats are the best sources of zinc, strict
1546 Agricola reported that a white metal was conate or zinc acetate lozenge. 13-23 mg or vegetarians are more likely to be deficient. Zinc
condensed and scraped off the walls of early more appear to be most effective, and need is needed in larger amounts for women who
furnaces when ore was smelted to obtain lead to be dissolved in the mouth in order to exert are pregnant or breastfeeding. Deficiency dur-
and silver. This white metal hardened in jagged antiviral properties. Swallowing zinc tablets will ing pregnancy may lower fetal birth weight,
spikes, zinko in German. not work. The lozenges can be used every two as well as increase maternal risk of toxemia. A
The history of our recognition of the significance hours for up to a week or two at most. good prenatal vitamin is likely to contain an ad-
of zinc in medicine however, is remarkably brief. Zinc can offer some relief from chronic infec- equate amount.
By the late 1950s it was accepted that zinc was tions with Candida albicans, or yeast. Most People over age 50 don’t absorb zinc as well,
a necessary micronutrient for humans although women will experience a vaginal yeast infec- nor do they generally have adequate intake,
scientific opinion tended to dismiss the likeli- tion at some time. One study showed yeast- and may require a supplement. Alcohol abus-
hood of human zinc deficiency. fighting benefits for zinc even for those who ers, those that have more than two drinks a day
In the last decade, we have come to appre- were not deficient in the mineral to begin with. generally have poor nutritional status to begin
ciate zinc to be a mineral that is essential for Other supplements that complement zinc in with, and alcohol also depletes stored zinc.
a healthy immune system, production of cer- combating yeast problems are vitamin C, and Zinc is sometimes promoted as an aid for mem-
tain hormones, wound healing, bone forma- vitamin E. Another measure that can help to ory. However, in the case of people with Al-
tion, and clear skin. It is required in very small limit problems with Candida is Lactobacillus, a zheimer’s disease, zinc can cause more harm
amounts, and is thus known as a trace mineral. friendly bacterium that competes with yeast. than good. Some experiments indicate that
Despite the low requirement, zinc is found in Limiting sweets in the diet may also prove help- zinc actually decreases intellectual function of
nearly every cell of the body and is a key to ful. people with this disease. As well as with, people
the proper function of more than 300 enzymes. Teenagers are often low in zinc, and tend to ex- who have hemochromatosis, a hereditary dis-
Normal growth and development cannot oc- perience more acne. Increasing water intake order affecting iron metabolism or if you are al-
cur without it. and dietary zinc or taking a modest supple- lergic to zinc, are infected with HIV, pregnant
In our clinic we have found people with mild to ment in order to get the RDA amount is low risk have glaucoma or have ulcers. Under these
moderately low levels of zinc, although serious and may prove helpful. People should consult a circumstances, it is best to be evaluated by a
deficiency is rare. Symptoms can include an in- health care provider knowledgeable in nutrition certified clinical nutritionist before supplement-
creased susceptibility to infection, rashes, hair before taking large doses of any supplement. ing with zinc.
loss, and poor growth in children, slow healing We advice our patients about to have sur- Get the Point! Some diseases increase the risk
of wounds, rashes, acne, male infertility, poor gery to make sure they are getting a sufficient of zinc deficiency. Sickle-cell anemia, diabetes,
appetite, decreased sense of taste and smell, amount of zinc and vitamin C in order to opti- and kidney disease can all affect zinc metabo-
and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and eyelids. mize wound healing. Adequate levels of these lism. People with Crohn’s disease, sprue, chronic
Women will find their ability to climax is much vitamins and minerals for at least a few weeks diarrhea, or babies with an often fatal inherited
more difficult. before and after surgery can speed healing. disease involving inefficient intestinal absorp-
A more serious, chronic deficiency can cause The same nutrients are important to minimize tion of zinc; readily treated by adding zinc to
severe growth problems, including dwarfism the healing time of bedsores, burns, and other the diet also have an increased need for zinc.
and poor bone maturation. The spleen and skin lesions. Not everyone who “knows about” nutrition is
liver may become enlarged. Testicular size and There are two male health problems that can qualified to do a nutritional evaluation which
function both tend to decrease. Cataracts may potentially benefit from zinc supplementation. includes using results form blood tests.. To be
form in the eyes, the optic nerve can become Testosterone is one of the hormones that re- sure how much zinc or other vitamins you need,
swollen, and color vision is sometimes affected quire zinc for production. Men with infertility as ask to see credentials and call to make an ap-
by a profound lack of zinc. Hearing can be af- a result of low testosterone levels may experi- pointment with a certified clinical nutritionist.q