Zinc
deficiency affects brain function and immune function and sexual
function.
Zinc deficiency has been linked with rheumatoid arthritis,
Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, asthma, aids and other chronic diseases.
The test: There is now an easy test.
You take some liquid zinc in your mouth and hold it for a minute.
Observe the taste – if it is very bitter or gradually becomes very
bitter within the minute, you have enough zinc in your tissues. If just
tastes like water or gets a little fuzzy tasting, you are deficient in
zinc.
The
treatment: Supplemental zinc. This is the tricky part.
suggested 100-150 mg. per day (away from meals) until you can pass the
taste test.
Then go down to a more reasonable level of about 25 mg. per
day.
If you are taking the high level for very long (longer than a
month) you need to worry about copper depletion.
It is best if you are
working with a health care professional to advise you if you need it.
If
you need it you may add 4 mg. copper per day (taken at a different time
from the zinc).
If the zinc makes you nauseous, you are taking too
much.