Although some people in these studies achieved benefits soon after supplementation began, the majority of the people required 12 weeks before good results were obtained. Zinc is a component of the enzymes involved in DNA replication, repair, and transcription. Many antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase also require zinc. Zinc levels are lower in the brain and cerebrospinal fluids in patients with Alzheimer s. Zinc deficiency may lead to the destruction of nerve cells and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and plaques. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include skin changes, diarrhea, hair loss, mental disturbances, and recurrent infections.
Zinc deficiency can cause delayed growth and sexual maturity, and prolonged healing of wounds.
Numerous clinical conditions are associated with zinc deficiency including impaired glucose tolerance, psychiatric illness, dermatological disorders, abnormal menstruation, night blindness, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease, and loss of sense of smell or taste. White spots on the fingernails, not due to trauma, may indicate zinc deficiency. The most common causes of a zinc deficiency are poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. Zinc absorption is decreased in a variety of health conditions including alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, dialysis, imbalances of stomach acid, hepatic disease, celiac sprue, intestinal resection, pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, and chronic blood loss. The most reliable test for assessing zinc levels is measuring the amount of zinc inside the white blood cells.