Zinc deficiency occurs more frequently than is commonly recognized. It tends to occur in the elderly, when zinc intake is inadequate, when there are increased losses of zinc from the body, when copper exposure is high, or when the body’s requirement for zinc increases.
There is no specific disease associated with zinc deficiency, but many general signs and symptoms can point to it. As body stores of zinc decline, symptoms worsen and new ones appear. Even a marginal deficiency should not be left untreated.