About Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral required for the function of over 300 enzymes and is foundational to immune defence, wound healing, protein synthesis, DNA repair, and taste and smell perception. Deficiency is common in older adults, vegetarians, athletes, and people with gastrointestinal disease, and manifests as poor wound healing, increased infection susceptibility, hair loss, impaired taste, and reduced testosterone. Because most zinc is stored inside cells, serum zinc can appear 'normal' while functional deficiency exists — results must be interpreted alongside dietary intake and symptoms.