Let’s talk about zinc. Zinc is involved in 300 different enzymes and over 1000 factors related to DNA.

Zinc is involved in your sleep cycles, cognitive function, and making neurotransmitters. Having low zinc increases your risk of diabetes.

Zinc also makes up an important group of antioxidants involved with your brain, heart, and muscles. It even helps reduce oxidative stress involved with the mitochondria.

Instead of masking a symptom related to zinc deficiency or any other health issue, it's crucial to get to the deeper problem to help prevent further concerns. Learning how to support a healthy body and avoid health issues or recognize the early stages of one is much more simple than trying to fight a health problem.

Side effects of advanced zinc deficiency can include:

• Loss of appetite

• Necrosis

• Ulcers

• Hypogonadism

• Low testosterone

• Thymus atrophy

• High cortisol

• Muscle loss

The organ that is most affected by zinc deficiency is the pancreas. The most common early sign of zinc deficiency is foul-smelling stool that floats.

Other early signs of zinc deficiency include:

• Shortness of breath upon exertion

• Cramping

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

Top causes of zinc deficiency:

• Lack of zinc in the diet

• Malabsorption

• Inflammation in the gut

• Phytates or phytic acid (grains)

• Consuming sugar

• Diabetes

• Stress

• Drinking alcohol

• Infection

Foods rich in zinc:

1. Oysters

2. Crab

3. Other shellfish

4. Meats

5. Fish

6. Nuts