Zinc Deficiency: Key Insights from a
Functional Nutrition Expert

I notice these consistent aspects in the lifestyles of those with zinc deficiencies:

• Inadequate Dietary Intake:
  A diet low in zinc-rich foods such as beef, lamb, seafood, and some seeds.
• Poor Absorption:
  Conditions like leaky gut, celiac disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders can hinder the absorption of zinc.
• Vegetarian or Vegan Diet:
  Plant-based diets may lack sufficient zinc, as this mineral is primarily found in animal products.
• High Phytate Intake:
  Consuming foods high in phytic acid, such as grains and legumes, can bind to zinc and reduce its absorption.
• Alcohol Consumption:
  Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with zinc absorption and increase urinary zinc excretion.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
  Increased zinc requirements during these periods may lead to deficiencies if dietary intake is insufficient.
• Certain Medications:
  Some medications, including certain diuretics and antibiotics, can impact zinc absorption or increase its excretion.
• Digestive Disorders:
  Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can impair zinc absorption in the digestive tract.
• Aging:
  Older adults may experience reduced absorption and increased excretion of zinc, contributing to deficiency over time.
• Pyrrole disorder:
  We all excrete pyrrole molecules in our urine but for individuals with pyroluria, these molecules latch onto and pull zinc out of the body, especially during times of stress.

For more information on how gut inflammation can lead to or be influenced by other imbalances in the body, please visit our page on gut inflammation.