Banded Together

Focus on Vitamins and Minerals
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral with many functions in the body. Some of these functions include digestions, cellular respiration, immune function, and antioxidant activity. Zinc is used by virtually every type of tissue in the body. The eyes, heart, adrenal glands, lungs, brain, skin, and prostate (in men) all store zinc. Adults store 2 to 3 grams of zinc but unlike most other minerals, zinc form tissues cannot be readily mobilized to compensate for low dietary intake. Dietary factors can significantly impair or assist absorption of zinc. Zinc is found in most animal proteins, including egg yolks and dairy products. These tend to be the best sources of zinc as it better absorbed in the presence of protein. Other substantial sources of zinc include nuts, seeds, and whole grains. However, the fiber in grains may impair absorption and refined grains have very little zinc in them.
Deficiency:
Zinc deficiency is not well understood. Deficiencies have been found with malabsorption, eating disorders, Crohn’s disease, and Celiac disease. Serious injury, illness, stress, burns, and surgery increase zinc utilization and may contribute to deficiency. Signs of zinc deficiency can include symptoms such as: loss of smell, abnormal or diminished sense of taste, photophobia, loss of night vision, poor wound healing, skin rashes or rough skin, hair loss/thinning hair, poor appetite, tiredness, grooved or deformed nails, decreased libido in men, canker sores, crusting around the mouth, rash in and around the mouth that can look like thrush (yeast), lip fissures, and more frequent infections.
Treatment:
The recommended daily amount of zinc is 15 mg for men and 12 mg for women. Most multivitamin/mineral formulas have this amount so if you are eating right and taking a good multivitamin/mineral you are probably getting enough zinc for body needs. For mild deficiency, doses of 15 to 30 milligrams per day taken between meals and away from other minerals (iron or copper) should be tried.  In more severe deficiency higher doses are needed and should be discussed and monitored by either your primary care provider or gastric band provider or both. If digestive upset occurs and is persistent, zinc can be taken with protein food or protein drink.
Zinc excess or Toxicity:
Therapeutic zinc levels can overlap with toxicity so it is important to know what can occur. Acute toxicity of zinc most commonly presents with gastrointestinal upset. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and metallic taste in the mouth. This can happen at doses as low as 30 milligrams.