Why You Need Zinc and How to Test Zinc Level At Home?
Why You Need Zinc?
Zinc is an important mineral your body needs for survival. Without it, all sorts of bodily functions would be thrown out of whack. Notable health conditions include imbalanced blood sugar levels, slow metabolic rate, impaired sense of smell and taste, and the way your body divides cells and synthesizes DNA would be compromised. Zinc also boosts your immune system. When it comes to colds, researchers believe zinc lozenges may help cut the average length of a virus in half (the mineral may stop the replication of a cold’s cells). Zinc has been used to heal wounds, prevent diarrhea and slow macular degeneration (a condition that leads to vision problems).
Zinc Deficiency Signs
Although our body does not require a lot of zinc, many people are Zinc deficient and are unaware of the fact. Because of this, they may be showing some of the following signs of Zinc deficiency:
- Acne/Dermatitis
- Alcohol intolerance
- Allergies
- Anorexia
- Brittle nails/White spots on fingernails
- Depression/Memory Loss/Poor concentration/Moodiness
- Hair Loss
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Impotence/Low sperm count/Low testosterone levels/Sterility
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of taste and smell
- Low blood sugar – two hours after eating
- Poor immunity – frequent sore throats, colds, sinus, ear infections, thrush, boils, viral infections
- Slow wound healing
- Stretch marks
How to Test Zinc Level at Home?
The typical Zinc Test which is easily available online or in the drug store is a simple taste test in which you take a liqueur glass size of the Zinc Test fluid into your mouth and swish it around for 5-10 seconds, then either swallow it or spit it out.
You will most likely experience one of the following:
| Flavor/Sensation Experienced | Zinc Status |
|---|---|
| No flavor or “like water” | Typical Zinc deficiency |
| No flavor to begin with, but later a reaction occurs described as either “dry”, “fluffy”, “mineral”, “like baking powder” or “sweet” | Zinc deficiency |
| A strong but not necessarily unpleasant flavor is registered immediately and builds up little by little | No Zinc deficiency |
| An unpleasant flavor is registered immediately. You make a wry face and want to rinse your mouth with water | No Zinc deficiency, good Zinc status |
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