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.