Zinc Deficiency

What is zinc and why is it so important?

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that helps stimulate the activity of over 300 different enzymes. It enhances resistance to stress as well as helps to maintain intellectual function, memory, and mood levels. Zinc plays a key role in cell development and gene expression, and when deficient, the result is a wide variety of mental and physical health challenges.

Why is zinc deficiency a problem?

Zinc deficiency is by far the most frequently observed chemical imbalance in mental health because zinc is needed to make neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter imbalance can cause a variety of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, and anorexia. The proper balance of serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and dopamine is essential to a happy, healthy life. Zinc is also a critical factor in pre and postnatal development because zinc deficiency can be passed from parent to child. This significantly affects not only growth, development, and immune function, but your child’s ability to think, feel, and act, which can lead to behavioral disorders, ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia.

Zinc deficiency in parents before conception can cause miscarriage, fetal growth restrictions, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and can even influence gender. This is because it takes more zinc to create a male than a female. While there is no way to determine gender, I almost always see zinc deficiency in couples that miscarry males and only produce girls.

Who can have zinc deficiency?

I often see zinc deficiency in women and adolescent girls with strong sensitivities, frequent infections, anorexia, poor memory and concentration, depression, anxiety, poor immune function, suicidal tendencies, and pale skin. The male reproductive system is also impacted by this condition (the prostate gland has one of the highest concentrations of zinc) and it is often hereditary.

How can we fix it?

Zinc deficiency can safely be corrected and balanced with dietary and nutrient therapy, as well as lifestyle modifications. First, let’s see if you might be impacted by this. Take my free, five-minute life assessment to find out if this applies to you.