Who is prone to get zinc deficiency?
Cereal diets rich in phytates decrease the absorption of zinc by binding to zinc. Thus zinc deficiency is more common in developing countries that have this kind of diet. Vegetarians are also prone to zinc deficiency. Diarrhea results in a loss of zinc. Individuals who have had gastrointestinal surgery or who have digestive disorders that result in malabsorption, including tropical sprue, Crohn’s disease and short bowel syndrome, are at greater risk of a zinc deficiency. Zinc losses can occur in the urine from use of diuretic drugs caffeine, ACE inhibitors, chelating agents, burns, trauma and hemolytic anemia. Sodium valproate, ethambutol also decrease the serum zinc levels. Genetic mutations can lead to zinc depletion by increasing zinc loss in the GI tract or through sweat. Cellular zinc may be depleted by stress or illness. Too much supplementary iron can interfere with zinc absorption.
