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10 Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency and How to Fix it

10 Symptoms Zinc Deficiency

Colds and Flu - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

A symptom of zinc deficiency is recurrent colds and flu.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, your zinc levels may be low:

  1. Recurrent colds, flu, and/or  infections
  2. Poor appetite
  3. Reduced sense of taste and/or smell
  4. Sluggish digestion
  5. Slow growth and development
  6. Slow healing
  7. Acne and other skin conditions
  8. Infertility
  9. Sugar  cravings
  10. Stress, anxiety, and depression 

Zinc is Essential For Health

Often zinc is recommended when you have a cold or flu. But, besides being extremely important for the immune system,  zinc plays a role in many other bodily functions. The adult body contains about 2.0 to 3.0 g of zinc, mostly stored inside your cells. Zinc’s many actions affect the health of your whole body.

Zinc Deficiencies are common

Many people are deficient in zinc. Inadequate dietary intake, increased physiological needs, or a diet high in sugar or alcohol and profuse sweating are common causes of zinc deficiency.

A Simple Taste Test

At Your Wellness Centre, we can do a simple taste test to see if you have a zinc deficiency. The test involves holding a zinc solution in your mouth for 10 seconds and assessing your taste response. The test relies on the presence of gustin, a zinc dependant enzyme. A lack of zinc reduces the activity of gustin, thus altering your taste perception.

What does Zinc do to the human body?

  • Zinc protects your cells from free radical damage by providing antioxidant defence.
  • Zinc supports healthy immunity
  • Improves appetite and digestive function.
  • Its ability to increase the healing rate of acne and wounds makes it indispensable for skin health.
  • It plays a key role in blood sugar metabolism, for better blood sugar control.
  • Zinc aids growth and development
  • It is an important nutrient during pregnancy for both mother and baby.
  • Zinc is also important for male health, fertility and sperm production, increasing sperm motility and concentration, therefore enhancing the chances of conception.
  • Zinc is found in high concentrations in the hippocampus area of the brain which controls thought and memory.
  • Recent research has shown zinc to be good for the brain, reducing stress and having a positive impact on mental function and mood.

Which Foods contain Zinc?

You can top up your zinc levels by increasing the intake of zinc­ rich foods:
Oysters are a rich source of zinc. If you are not a fan, then beef, lamb, toasted wheat germ, spinach, pumpkin seeds, nuts, dark chocolate, pork, chicken, beans, and mushrooms.

Zinc bisglycinate For Greater Absorption

If you have some of the deficiency signs described above, talk to Naturopaths at Your Wellness Centre about taking a highly absorbable zinc bisglycinate. With its enhanced cellular uptake, it increases the availability of zinc to your body. The one we recommend is also less likely to interact with other minerals, including copper, calcium, and iron. The more zinc your body can absorb,  the greater benefits it will deliver in improving your health.

Take the step toward a healthier you!
Call 9879 9596 and book an appointment today!

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

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Are you Well when you are not Sick?

What Does it Mean to be ‘Well’?

Many people believe ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ are terms that simply mean being free from disease, but there is so much more to being truly well!

Are you really well if you are overweight, forgetful, tired, moody, or have poor skin? What if you suffer from headaches, frequent colds, constipation or bloating? If you regularly experience these symptoms, you may not necessarily have a disease, but you aren’t truly well either. There are steps you can take to escape these frustrating complaints and enjoy true wellness.

Diets Fail, Lifestyle Changes Succeed

We have all heard the saying “You are what you eat,” but the truth is, “You are what you most consistently eat.” How many times have you started a diet with the best of intentions, only to find it too difficult to follow for more than a few weeks? Fad diets don’t help you to achieve long-term health goals. Realistic dietary changes that are sustainable are the best way to improve your health over the long-term. Seven sustainable dietary changes for wellness are:

  1. Protein-rich food - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyInclude protein-rich foods in each meal or snack. Protein foods include fish, seafood, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, and legumes.
  2. Enjoy a minimum of three cups of fresh vegetables daily: Choose from a variety of vegetables and aim to have a rainbow of colours on your dinner plate.
  3. Enjoy a minimum of two pieces or one cup of fresh fruit every day: Berries are an especially good choice as they are rich in antioxidants
  4. Limit starchy carbohydrates to two small serves per day: Aim for only 1 to 2 serves of bread, rice, pasta, cereal or potatoes daily.
  5. Include healthy fats in your diet: Healthy fats are found in cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and cold-pressed oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil. Aim for 1 to 2 tablespoons of good quality oils per day and limit nuts and seeds to a small handful daily.
  6. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of pure water every day: Use natural flavourings such as fresh lemon, lime, and mint in water instead of soft drinks and cordials. Reduce excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages to 1 to 2 per day.
  7. Enjoy a ‘freedom’ meal once a week: A ‘wellness program’ is a life-long diet and lifestyle program. Allow yourself one or two ‘treat’ meals per week. Remember, “You are what you most consistently eat”.

Simple Supplements to Maintain Wellness

Research has shown there are natural supplements that can complement your wellness diet and lifestyle program such as:

  1. Fish Oil - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy MelbourneA high-quality fish oil to provide daily omega-3 for a healthy heart, supple joints, and healthy nervous system.
  2. A high strength probiotic to maintain the balance in your digestive system.
  3. A daily multivitamin and mineral formula to fill any nutritional gaps that your diet doesn’t fulfill.
  4. A good quality antioxidant formula to promote healthy ageing and reduce the risk of developing chronic disease.

Live Well and Laugh a Lot!

Taking regular time out to relax is vital for wellness. Relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation or reading a book increase the levels of ‘feel good’ chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy. Laughter is the best medicine; seriously! Laughter reduces stress hormones, improves breathing and circulation, and can even improve your immune system. Relaxation and laughter are important additions to any wellness program.

You Can Achieve Your Goal of Wellness

You don’t have to settle for feeling ‘just ok’. You can achieve wellness by making simple, sustainable changes to improve your energy, health, and wellbeing over the long-term.

Contact Your Wellness Centre about getting your wellness prescription today!

Ring 9879 9596 or email health@yourwellnesscentre.com.au

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

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