White Spots on Nails:  Do you often see white spots on your nails? Do you feel that your body is lacking any nutrient? You may be suffering from zinc deficiency. Zinc is a mineral that is very important for our body. It is essential for the immune system, cellular division and skin health. Apart from white spots on nails, many other symptoms can also appear due to zinc deficiency. In this article, we will learn about the symptoms of zinc deficiency and its preventive measures.

Signs of Zinc Deficiency

The symptoms of zinc deficiency can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include-

• White spots on nails – This is the most common symptom of zinc deficiency.
• Dental problems - teeth may become weak and gums may bleed .
• Weakening of immunity- Zinc deficiency weakens the immunity, due to which you may fall ill frequently.
• Time taken for wounds to heal- Even small wounds heal slowly.
• Mood swings – You may often feel irritable and tired .
• Loss of appetite- Zinc deficiency can lead to a loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Changes in taste and smell – You may find that some food items taste or smell different.
• Hair loss- Zinc deficiency can also cause hair loss.

Causes of Zinc Deficiency

There can be many reasons for zinc deficiency, such as-

• Unbalanced diet – If you do not eat zinc-rich food items, you may suffer from zinc deficiency.
• Certain diseases – Certain diseases such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and kidney disease can interfere with zinc absorption.
• Some medications: Some medications can also reduce the absorption of zinc.
• Drinking alcohol- Drinking too much alcohol can also cause zinc deficiency.

How to prevent zinc deficiency?

Eat food items rich in zinc- Foods rich in zinc include-

• Pulses- moong dal, chana dal, masoor dal
• Seeds – pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds
• Dry fruits- almonds, cashews, walnuts
• Meat – chicken, fish, red meat
• Sea Foods – Oysters, Crabs
• Cereals – oats, brown rice

Take a healthy diet- Taking a healthy diet will provide you with all the necessary nutrients.

Consult a doctor- If you think you have zinc deficiency, consult a doctor. They can give you some medicines or supplements to treat zinc deficiency.