What symptoms can zinc deficiency cause in adults?
Disease description:
Recently, I’ve felt a complete loss of appetite—I don’t feel like eating anything at all. Even when I do eat, I often experience indigestion. A colleague suggested I get checked for zinc deficiency. What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in adults?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shengqiang
Zinc is an essential trace element required for the synthesis of numerous enzymes in the human body. Zinc deficiency can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. In adults, common manifestations include weakened immunity, dry skin prone to acne, prostatitis, oligospermia (low sperm count), and asthenospermia (reduced sperm motility); severe deficiency may even lead to sexual dysfunction and digestive disorders such as poor digestion and loss of appetite. Zinc deficiency is uncommon in individuals consuming a normal, balanced diet; however, if dietary intake is inadequate, supplementation with calcium-zinc oral solution may be considered.
