Are You Zinc Deficient?
There Is A Good Chance You Are!
Most people are zinc deficient due to modern day pollution, processed foods, GMO’s, etc. From the article, Zinc Deficient Nation;
“…many people are now zinc deficient. In fact, some estimations report nearly half of the world’s population is zinc deficient – including the United States!
One excellent source of zinc is from animal meat, but animal feed also comes from the same zinc-depleted soil – resulting in animals that are also zinc deficient.
This is not inclusive to conventional raised animals, but also to organically raised animals, due to the same reasons already mentioned: environmental pollutants (such as pesticides), nutritionally depleted soil, and GM crops.
Organic farms cannot escape the pollution and chemicals from other farms due to wind and water run-off from excess rain. (Unless, of course, we find a way to control the wind & rain, which, no doubt scientists are trying to do just that! (IE: Chemtrails?)
And to compound the problem, we are a society who enjoys large quantities of artificial and fast- processed foods and will, sadly, agree to take a prescription drug (or two), rather than change our diet to one that is more nutritious…”
It certainly appears to be a global issue regarding zinc, but is this something that you need to be concerned with?
The answer is…yes!
There are many health conditions related to Zinc Deficiency such as:
- Psoriasis
- Dry Skin
- Type of Anemia
- Pre-eclampsia
- Post-natal depression
- Pre-menstrual syndrome
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic Illness
- White spots on fingernails
- Delay in wound healing
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Macular degeneration
- Heart Disease
- Prostate Enlargement
So, how do you know if you really are zinc deficient? And if a deficiency is present, then what can you do about it?
Take the Zinc Tally Test
Zinc is found abundantly in the human body, down to the cellular level.
Because of this, it is often difficult to determine accurate zinc levels via a lab test. Luckily, there is an extremely simple way to know where your zinc level currently is. Zinc is unique, because there is a test you can do from your home to determine if a zinc deficiency is present.
This is also an inexpensive tool because the Zinc Tally lasts for quite a long time, so it gives you plenty of opportunities to retest your zinc levels during extra zinc supplementation.
How Does The Zinc Tally Test Work?
Gustin is the major zinc protein of the human parotid saliva. In other words, gustin is important for our sense of taste.
Because gustin contains zinc, the concentration of gustin changes in proportion to the concentration of zinc that is present in your body. When zinc levels are low, gustin will also be “low”. Because of this relationship the Zinc Tally Test works.
For the test to work most effectively, it is best not to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior taking it. This makes it a great test to do first thing in the morning.
Take 1 tablespoon of the tally, and swish it around in your mouth…but don’t swallow yet. What you are looking for is, the “type of flavor” you experience while the tally is in your mouth.
- No flavor (water-like) = typical zinc deficiency
- No flavor to start with, but a “mineral” type flavor starts to appear = zinc deficiency
- Strong flavor, but not enough to make you want to spit it out = minimal zinc deficiency
- Extremely unpleasant flavor that you taste immediately = zinc status is good, no zinc deficiency
In most cases, if you are going to taste some sort of “flavor”, it will happen within 5 – 10 seconds. So, any taste that develops after 10 – 15 seconds would be considered a deficiency.
Because the tally is simply zinc sulfate in a base of distilled water, it is safe to swallow after the test, or you can simply spit it out.
What if a Zinc Deficiency is Present?
In the case of a deficiency, zinc supplementation is required.
I personally believe that zinc orotate is better absorbed, and safer, than other forms of zinc, although aspartate is also an excellent carrier of the mineral. Depending on which category you fall into regarding the Zinc Tally Test, the dosage of zinc may vary.
For example, in the case of a mild zinc deficiency, a typical dose of 50 mg to 100 mg is sufficient. After 2 – 3 weeks, re-test with the tally. The more severe the zinc deficiency, the longer it may take to start “tasting” the tally. This is actually very common. In some cases, it may take months of zinc supplementation in order for you to begin tasting the tally.
If only a minimal zinc deficiency is present, a lower dosage of zinc would be best.
Once you are in the no zinc deficiency category, it is important to understand that zinc deficiency has become the standard rule, and not the exception in our society. So, if you decide to cease zinc supplementation, it would be a good idea to repeat the Zinc Tally Test in a few months to ensure your zinc levels have not fallen.
Doses of 50 mg to 100 mg may be maintained safely indefinitely.
It is important to know that Zinc and copper are a symbiotic duo, and must be in balance in a 10 to 1 mg ratio respectively. Commonly, many multi-mineral supplements do not have the proper ratio and can actually cause an imbalance. To solve this problem. simply take a trace minerals mixture that you can put into a glass of water.
If you are interested in learning if you are zinc deficient, you can buy the Zinc Tally Test HERE.