Zinc RDI
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Moderate zinc deficiency causes the following symptoms:
- Delayed wound healing
- Frequent infections
- Hair loss
- Inflammation of the eyelids (belpharitis)
- Infection of the fingernail beds (paronychia)
- Infection of the mouth and throat (stomatitis)
- Inflammation of the tongue (glossitis)
- Loss of taste and smell
- Low sperm count
- Rashes
- Skin lesions
- Slow growth (underdevelopment) in children
Zinc deficiency is common, with at least 45% of the population being at risk of zinc deficiency
Severe zinc deficiency causes the following symptoms:
- Decreased growth or dwarfism
- Decreased testicle size
- Decreased testicular function
- Delayed bone maturity and growth
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Eye health problems (cataracts, optic neuritis)
People who experience any of the symptoms above should seek the advice of their doctor about zinc supplementation.