Zinc deficiency. Symptoms in women in the body, how it manifests itself, what to take, clinical guidelines

Zinc deficiency found in women during laboratory studies of a biochemical blood test, as well as by the ACC method, in which urine serves as the material for research. Various symptoms are inherent in the pathological disorder. Low levels of trace minerals require therapy, otherwise serious complications may develop.

Forms of the disease

Zinc is involved in the regulation of nucleoproteins, helps to eliminate the development of inflammation. The lack of an element provokes a violation of metabolic processes, causing multiple clinical signs. Skeletal development disorders may develop, as well as malfunction of the reproductive and immune systems. The course of the disease is possible in acute and chronic form.

Chronic

Zinc deficiency (symptoms in women manifest themselves in different ways) of a chronic nature develops with a rare violation of metabolic processes in the body (enteropathic acrodermatitis).

Pathology is congenital. The disease is characterized by morphological changes in the skin, hair loss and gastrointestinal disorders. A polymorphic rash around the mouth is common. A pronounced lack of a trace element in medical practice is rarely diagnosed.

Sharp

Zinc deficiency, which is acute in women, is usually caused by an unbalanced diet or age. The subclinical course is provoked by prolonged consumption of foods with a low content of the element. Also, the lack of substance is manifested with the active growth of the skeleton. A high need for zinc in girls is noted at the age of 10-12 years.

A lowered marker in the pubertal phase can provoke a violation of the development of the axial skeleton and the deposition of minerals in the bone tissue.

The lack of an element occurs in women adhering to parenteral nutrition, as well as in patients with the presence of pathologies in a chronic form (Wilson-Konovalov disease, sickle cell anemia, nephritis, cirrhosis). Also, the condition can be triggered by bariatric surgery and mercury or tartrazine poisoning.

Zinc deficiency (symptoms in women are described in this article) can be the result of mental health problems.

Repeated diagnostic measures for the study of a marker of an element in the blood are indicated for monitoring therapy when a patient is using drugs that contain zinc.

An insufficient zinc content in the body does not always indicate a lack of a trace element. Its concentration decreases with acute infectious and inflammatory processes, traumatic injuries, increased physical loads and stress. Normally, the marker decreases after a meal.

The table is ok

The table shows normal indicators for women of different age categories.

Age	Norm	Pregnancy period	Lactation period
0-6 months	2 mg
7-12 months	3 mg
1-3 years	3 mg
4-8 years	5 mg
9-13 years old	8 mg
14-18 years old	9 mg	12 mg	13 mg
19+	8 mg	11 mg	12 mg

Possible causes of deficiency

Zinc deficiency (symptoms in women appear at different levels) is most often the result of an unbalanced diet. The fairer sex resort to various diets that exclude the consumption of meat and dairy products. As a result, vitamin deficiency is provoked.

Low micronutrient levels are diagnosed in people who eat vegetarian food. The fairer sex, who prefer sweets, coffee, pickles, also suffer from a lack of metal.

The main provocateurs of a pathological condition include:

• Irritation of the digestive tract. With this pathology, zinc is not absorbed by the body.
• Diabetes. The pathology is provoked by a violation of the functionality of the pancreas, which causes a violation of the absorption of trace elements. In this disease, zinc is excreted in large quantities in the urine.
• Renal failure. A sharp decrease in the level of the element is observed in patients on hemodialysis.
• Alcohol abuse. Alcohol contributes to the impairment of the assimilation of the element. With their systematic use, zinc deficiency becomes more pronounced.
• Carrying a fetus and lactation. In pregnant women, the consumption of all elements proceeds very quickly. For this reason, zinc deficiency is often noted.
• The age category is over 65 years old. The absorption of nutrients is reduced in older women. In this case, it is advised to take vitamin complexes.
• Sickle cell anemia. People with this pathology suffer from a lack of many elements. A provocateur is a reduction in the level of red blood cells in the blood and metabolic disorders.

Often, zinc deficiency in women is associated with inappropriate use of diuretics, antibiotics and antidepressants. Regardless of the provoking factor, a woman must take measures to eliminate the deficiency of the element. Especially negatively, the lack of an element is reflected in the course of pregnancy and childbirth.

Symptoms

Zinc deficiency is often latent. Symptoms in women are observed in 1/3 of cases. Pathology is detected by examining blood or urine.

The most striking signs of micronutrient deficiency include:

• Defects in taste. The food is usually felt to taste great. In some cases, preferences change: there is a craving for salty and sour foods.
• Metabolic disorders. Women can suffer from obesity or significant weight loss if the diet is intact.
• Intense hair loss. Sometimes even baldness is observed. A decrease in zinc levels provokes a violation of protein production, which is bad for the condition of the hairline. A low amino acid marker provokes nutrient deficiencies.
• Diarrhea and other digestive problems. With a lack of an element in a person, the production of enzymes is reduced. Food starts to be processed with difficulty. Constipation may also occur.
• Functional disorder of the nervous system. With a low level of zinc in the body, the transmission of nerve impulses in neurons slows down, which negatively affects mental processes such as memory and attention.
• Violation of the morphology of the dermis. A striking sign in women with a zinc deficiency is acne. The trace element is involved in the regulation of the sebaceous glands. With a lack of substance, sebum begins to be produced intensively and contributes to the clogging of pores. As a result, comedones are formed.
• Infertility. In some cases, with a low zinc content in the female body, an inability to conceive a child is noted.

All signs develop with a significant decrease in the level of a trace element.

Modern diagnostic methods

The basis of diagnostics is the determination of the zinc marker in blood plasma, erythrocytes, urine and hair. The most informative way is to determine the level of the element in the blood serum. The indicator 13 μmol / L is regarded as a deficient state, and the marker below 8.2 μmol / L is unfavorable.

It should be noted that a deficiency in the blood does not always manifest itself as clinical symptoms, since the concentration of the substance decreases and rises during the day. The indicator changes depending on the food consumed, stress, infectious process, abnormalities in blood plasma sampling.

During diagnostic manipulations, it is necessary to take into account not only the level of the element in the blood, but also the positive the dynamics of clinical signs, as well as an increase in the marker in response to treatment with drugs that include zinc.

Blood taken from a vein acts as a biological material. Special preparation for delivery is not required. For 2-3 hours before the manipulation, it is forbidden to consume food, since the level of the substance after eating decreases. This can lead to an incorrect result. In 30 min. quit smoking before analysis

The interpretation of the results is based on data from another study. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is shown. Represents a method for quantitative analysis of urine.

Based on the ability of atoms to absorb light of a certain wavelength (resonant absorption) and to influence the signals emanating from other atoms contained in the atomizer. Approximately 60 chemical elements (mainly metals and a number of transition elements) can be determined by the AAS method.

In Moscow, a blood test for zinc content will cost 700-970 rubles. The research method using ACC, including sample preparation, will amount to 1300 rubles.

In Samara, a study of blood plasma will cost 430-650 rubles. Analysis by the ACC method will amount to 1000-1200 rubles.

Drug therapy

The most popular drugs that compensate for the lack of zinc in the body include "Zincteral", "Zincite", "Bio-zinc".

Means "Zincteral" is taken 1 tablet after 2 hours after the meal. The tablets should not be divided or chewed.

The recommended dose depends on the severity of the pathology. As a rule, 1-3 tablets are taken 1-3 times a day. The cost of the drug 124 mg is 269-385 rubles. The package contains 25 tablets.

"Bio-zinc" is taken 1-2 tablets a day with meals. The remedy is taken within a month. The cost of the drug 0.3 mg is 450 rubles. The package contains 60 tablets.

With a pronounced lack of metal, complex dietary supplements "Complivit Selenium and Zinc", "Duovit", "Antioxicaps" are used.

Means "Complivit Selenium and Zinc" is taken 1 capsule 1 time per day after meals. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. The cost of the drug is 278 rubles. The package contains 60 capsules.

Antioxicaps is taken after meals. For the purpose of prophylaxis, the drug is prescribed for adults 1 capsule 1 time per day for 1-3 months. The course is repeated several times a year.

Therapeutic doses of the drug "Antioxicaps" are set by the doctor depending on the nature and severity of the pathology. The cost of the drug is 900-1000 rubles. The package contains 60 capsules.

Usually in dietary supplements, zinc is presented in the form of picolinate, gluconate, sulfate and acetate. Picolinate has a high bioavailability.

With prolonged intake of high doses, the level of copper may decrease, since there is a competitive assimilation of elements by erythrocytes. Before using dietary supplements, you need to consult a specialist.

Nutrition correction

In parallel with the intake of various means to eliminate the lack of zinc, a correction of the diet is shown.

It is advised:

• Do not consume alcoholic beverages, coffee, marinades, dishes with a high salt content.
• Stick to fractional meals. For the full assimilation of the necessary elements by the body, food should be consumed in small portions.
• Consume baked or steamed foods.

Approximately 20-30% of the trace element is lost during defrosting and cooking food.

To preserve the mineral it is advised:

• Defrost meat in the refrigerator only on the lower shelf, placing it in a saucepan with a lid.
• When cooking fish, use only a sharp knife. This is how the juice of the product, which is rich in mineral, is preserved.
• Pour meat and fish in a saucepan with water so that it slightly covers the product.
• Dip the fish only in boiling water.

A balanced diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as well as the timely elimination of pathologies helps the body to preserve the necessary microelements.

When a deficiency occurs, the following foods should be consumed:

• Dried pumpkin seeds. The glass contains the daily rate of the element.
• Beef or lamb. 100 g of the product contains 1/3 of the daily dose of metal.
• Cashew nuts. It is advised to eat 2 glasses a day.
• Mushrooms. High trace element content in varieties such as shiitak, oyster mushrooms and mushrooms.
• Yogurt and kefir. The glass contains 10% of the daily dose of the element. The same indicator of the content in a glass of spinach juice.
• Cocoa. It is necessary to consume dark chocolate.

It is also advised to include in the diet buckwheat and oatmeal, bran, peas and beans.

The table shows the element marker in various products.

Product	Level in mg / 100 g
Fish	78,8
Calf meat	12
Pumpkin seeds	7,6
Beef meat	6,31
Nuts	3,57
Dark chocolate	3,31
Yogurt	1
Champignons	0,9
Eggs	0,6
Cocoa	0,3
Peas	2,5
Lamb meat	4,5
Chicken's meat	2,25
Oysters	32

From food products, only 20-40% of the microelement enters the body. The element is absorbed faster from animal products than from plant foods.

Beans, grains and oilseeds include phytates, which interfere with the absorption of the element. To increase the bioavailability of vegetarian foods, sprouted foods should be consumed or soaked.

The daily allowance for women and men is 15 mg. The requirement for children is 3-12 mg. Vegetarians need 50% more zinc than the indicated marker.

Making dietary changes to increase zinc levels is advisable for mild deficiencies. In the presence of a violation of the assimilation of the element by the body, they resort only to drugs.

Possible consequences and complications

A reduced level is able to provoke:

• Growth retardation.
• Failure of immunity. With a low zinc marker, the respiratory system is often inflamed.
• Disorder of the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable bowel syndrome is provoked, manifested in systematic inflammation. The process is triggered by an allergic reaction to food. Diarrhea, bloating and flatulence may occur on a regular basis.
• Thinning hair structure and hair loss.
• Inflammation of the dermis.
• Complications of the course of pregnancy. Premature birth or abnormal development of the embryo can be triggered.
• Development of diabetes mellitus.
• Violation of hematopoiesis.
• Failure of hormonal levels.
• The development of depression.
• Macular degeneration. With age, the zinc marker in the retina decreases, which contributes to the deterioration of the functionality of the visual apparatus.

Zinc deficiency in women is unacceptable. The trace element allows women to maintain their beauty and physical activity. Prevention of a lack of a substance makes it possible to prevent unpleasant symptoms and possible problems with conceiving and bearing a fetus.

Zinc deficiency videos

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