What Are the Consequences of Zinc Deficiency in Humans?

In some people, a decrease in blood circulation occurs due to pressure in a specific area. As a result, damage occurs to the skin or tissues. This phenomenon is called a pressure ulcer, bedsore, or decubitus ulcer.

When a pressure ulcer occurs or to prevent its formation, individuals affected by this condition should be given Zinc supplements. This is because Zinc plays a role in more than 100 metabolic enzymes in the metabolic system.

Some of these are as follows;

• Protein synthesis at the DNA and RNA system level
• Collagen Formation
• Cell Proliferation
• Cellular Reactions
• Immune Functions

What Are the Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency?

The following conditions occur among the symptoms of zinc deficiency.

• Loss of Appetite
• Loss of smell
• Respiratory and Recurrent Infections
• Nasolabial Folds
• Dryness of the Skin
• Disorders in Immune Function
• Delayed Wound Healing
• Wound Exudate
• Hair Loss

These are some of the symptoms.

How Does Zinc Cycle in the Body?

Before administering zinc supplements, it is necessary to understand the cycle of zinc in the body. When zinc enters the body, it is primarily absorbed in the small intestine. At the same time, only about 20% to 40% of the ingested zinc is absorbed.

Damage to the intestines and resulting disorders reduce zinc absorption. The primary route of zinc loss is the gastrointestinal system. A diagnosis of zinc loss can be made in patients with complaints of excessive vomiting and excretion.

The second largest route of zinc loss in the human body is the urinary tract. People with hyperglycemia and diabetes lose more zinc. In addition, aging kidneys can hold urine in a concentrated form for a shorter period, leading to frequent urination. Therefore, continuous zinc loss occurs.

Additionally, the third largest zinc loss occurs with the formation of a connection (Fistula) that should not exist between the intestine and the skin.

While the intake of grains and legumes decreases zinc absorption in the gastrointestinal system, proteins increase it.

Zinc Supplementation as a Multivitamin

For patients with pressure ulcers, multivitamin supplements containing 15 mg of zinc are administered. In orally administered zinc supplements, zinc utilization will remain at the 20% level. The values measured in biological systems are consistent with this.

In a patient with an unhealed Stage 3 or 4 ulcer, the required zinc supplementation is 25-50 mg of elemental zinc. It has been determined that 40 mg of elemental zinc should be administered for 10 days to enhance wound healing.

At the nutritional level, it has been determined to be 175 mg in the form of Zinc Gluconate.

The content and information in this article should absolutely not be applied without expert advice or clinical findings.

Besides food supplements containing Zinc Gluconate, zinc sulfate raw materials can also be used. Sometimes, food supplements containing zinc lactate also show similar properties to meet this need.

Which Chemical Raw Materials Are Suitable for Zinc Supplementation?

Zinc sulfate is the most commonly used chemical raw material for zinc supplementation. It is easily absorbed by the body. Additionally, Zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, and zinc acetate can also be preferred.