7 signs of zinc deficiency

The lower the level of zinc in the blood, the greater our chances of contracting the coronavirus and the likelihood that the disease will be really severe, even fatal. This conclusion was reached by the authors of a study, the results of which were presented at a recent conference of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

How are zinc and the coronavirus related?

The fact is that the ability of our immune system to resist viruses is largely dependent on the level of zinc concentration in the blood. The authors of the study examined data from 249 patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of Covid-19. The average age of the patients was 63 years, 55% of them were men.

As it turns out, almost all of the study participants who died due to the coronavirus infection had significantly lower blood zinc levels during hospitalization than those who overcame the virus. The authors of the study were even able to calculate the relationship between the level of zinc in the body and the chances of successfully overcoming the disease. For example, each additional microgram of zinc in the blood reduces the risk of death from Covid-19 by 7%.

How to detect zinc deficiency?

We should get at least 12-15 milligrams of zinc every day. At the same time, we get no more than 20-40% of the necessary norm from food, everything else must be "obtained" from other sources - for example, from supplements containing zinc (but only after consulting a doctor!).

Unfortunately, zinc deficiency has no obvious symptoms, so it's worth doing a biochemical blood test from time to time to determine if you're getting enough of this substance.

However, there are some signs that most often accompany zinc deficiency:

• frequent colds and weakened immune system;

• hard-to-heal wounds and abrasions;

• brittle nails;

• tremor of upper limbs;

• irritability and nervousness;

• poor coordination;

• hair loss;

• dulled sense of smell and taste;

• stomatitis;

• blurred vision in the dark;

• dandruff;