1. Zinc deficiency By: James C.

2. What is a zinc deficiency? A zinc deficiency is exactly what it sounds like but, the effects of it are dangerous in most ways leading to catching cancer or having anorexia. But the top signs of a deficiency showing are: diarrhea, skin lesions, loss of appetite, and other small signs that we’ll get into later.

3. Symptoms The symptoms can almost be as bad as the effects, but not as extreme. The main symptoms are diarrhea which is caused by the immune system not being as strong as a normal one so lots of bacteria that cause diarrhea slip through and it can get pretty bad. Hair loss and skin lesions: zinc is an important part of cell growth, cells weaken because of the nutrition deficiency. Now the other signs are reduced fertility, rashes on the skin, spots on finger nails, sleep disturbance, loss of taste and smell. And in some cases mild anemia.

4. Major Effects Anorexia: zinc deficiency causes loss in appetite because it is almost an appetite stimulator. Loss in zinc leads to loss of appetite, which can lead to anorexia in the end. Also the worsening of the anorexia worsens the deficiency itself which becomes a cycle of becoming thinner and thinner. Cancer: Zinc deficiency can lead to Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) in many populations. Which induces an inflammatory gene signature that fuels the ESCC. Sexual health in men and woman. For men zinc is required by men to produce testosterone. Thus, the deficiency can lead to less testosterone production in men and hence show up with symptoms associated with low testosterone. The deficiency during pregnancy can negatively effect both the mother and the fetus. It mostly effects the efficiency of the fetus growing.

5. Treatment? There are many ways to treat the deficiency here are just a couple: Supplementation using medicines Food fortification though zinc additives in food Dietary modification and diversification

6. Fun facts about Zinc Did you know: Zinc can be used for fertilization of crops Turkey used to have lots of zinc deficient soils and lead to lots of zinc deficient humans

7. Thanks for watching! Remember to take your Zinc!