Zinc deficiency symptoms
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Common Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms affecting multiple body systems. Commonly reported symptoms include poor appetite, weight loss, delayed wound healing, taste abnormalities, mental lethargy, and poor growth in children. As zinc levels decline further, symptoms can worsen and include diarrhea, recurrent infections, and dermatitis 2310. Neurological symptoms such as headache, paresthesias (tingling sensations), peripheral neuropathy, and even depression, irritability, and emotional instability have also been observed 145.
Neurological and Mental Health Symptoms
Zinc plays a vital role in the nervous system, and its deficiency is linked to various neurological symptoms. These can include headaches, sensory disturbances, and peripheral neuropathy. Zinc deficiency is also associated with mental health issues such as depression, increased anxiety, and emotional instability. Studies have shown that people with depression often have lower zinc levels, and zinc supplementation may help improve depressive symptoms, especially in older adults and women 145.
Skin, Taste, and Epithelial Manifestations
Dermatitis (skin inflammation) and taste disorders are well-documented symptoms of zinc deficiency. Taste abnormalities are particularly common, and zinc supplementation can improve taste in a significant proportion of affected individuals. Other epithelial symptoms, such as delayed wound healing and various skin changes, are also frequently reported 238.
Immune System and Infection Susceptibility
Zinc is essential for immune function. Deficiency increases susceptibility to infections and can worsen the severity of illnesses, including respiratory infections like COVID-19. Children with zinc deficiency have been shown to have higher levels of inflammation markers and may experience more frequent fevers during infections 36710.
Hematological and Metabolic Symptoms
Zinc deficiency is often associated with anemia and can aggravate symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, such as fatigue, cardiopulmonary symptoms, restless leg syndrome, and mental manifestations. It can also affect protein and nitrogen metabolism, particularly in individuals with underlying conditions like liver cirrhosis 268.
Nonspecific and Overlapping Symptoms
Many symptoms of zinc deficiency are nonspecific and can overlap with other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. These may include general fatigue, lethargy, and diverse unexplained symptoms such as urinary tract infections, anemia, and insulin dysfunction 610.
Conclusion
Zinc deficiency presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms, including neurological, mental, skin, immune, and metabolic disturbances. Because these symptoms are often nonspecific and overlap with other conditions, zinc deficiency can go unrecognized. Prompt recognition and treatment with zinc supplementation can lead to significant improvement or complete recovery in most cases. Regular nutritional assessment and awareness of zinc deficiency symptoms are important for effective management and prevention.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic