Zinc (Zn)

High Hair Zinc:

- An elevated zinc level is commonly due to a loss of zinc from the body tissues. In these cases, zinc supplements will often be recommended.

- Zinc levels may appear high to help compensate for copper toxicity. Thus high zinc can be a tipoff of a hidden copper toxicity.

- Use of Head and Shoulders shampoo occasionally results in an elevated zinc reading.

- Cadmium toxicity can cause a zinc reading to appear high.

A result of high hair Zinc (Zn) may be indicative of low Zinc in cells, and functional Zinc insufficiency, or excessive Zinc supplementation. Zinc can be displaced from proteins such as intracellular metallothionein by other metals, particularly cadmium, lead, copper, and mercury (Toxicology of Metals, 1994), resulting in paradoxically elevated hair Zinc. Zinc may also be high in hair as a result of the use of Zinc-containing anti-dandruff shampoo. Rough or dry, flaky skin is a symptom of Zinc deficiency, so it is not uncommon for Zinc deficient patients to use an anti-dandruff shampoo. A result of high hair Zinc warrants further testing to assess Zinc status. Confirmatory tests for Zinc status are whole blood or packed red blood cell elements analysis.

Zinc is an essential element that is required in many very important biological processes. However, Zinc can be toxic if exposure is excessive. Although very uncommon, high hair Zinc might be indicative of Zinc overload which could result from Zinc contaminated water (galvanized pipes), welding or gross, chronic over-supplementation (100 mg/day). Other sources of Zinc include: manufacture of brass, bronze, white paint, and pesticide production. Symptoms of Zinc excess include: gastrointestinal disorders, decreased heme synthesis (copper deficiency), tachycardia, blurred vision, and hypothermia.

Low Hair Zinc:

- Zinc will often read low if the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5:1. In this case, it is not always wise to give much zinc.

- Zinc is commonly low in "fast" oxidizers.

- Very low zinc levels are often associated with emotional instability and with problems of growth and development in children.

A low zinc level can be due to any number of reasons; including an over consumption of sugars and simple carbohydrates, an acute stress situation, infection and/or the release of toxic metals, particularly copper. Low zinc levels are often associated with mood swings, digestive disturbances, skin problems, vision problems, prostate problems in men and a reduced sense of taste and smell. Low zinc levels may also be a compensatory effort by the body to help balance the sodium/potassium ratio.

Zinc is found in small quantities in the body (about two grams) and is essential for over 50 functions including all protein synthesis, growth and development, male reproductive system, insulin production and secretion, vision, digestion, prostate health, skin, hair and nail health, and immune system activity.