Question

What should a five-month-old baby eat if they have a zinc deficiency?

Answer

The symptoms of zinc deficiency include:

  1. Anorexia: When zinc is deficient, the function of taste buds decreases, leading to a reduced sense of taste, loss of appetite, decreased eating, and subsequently, decreased digestion.
  2. Delayed growth and development.
  3. Thinning and yellowing of hair.
  4. Susceptibility to colds: Zinc deficiency lowers the immune function, making the baby more prone to infections, including diarrhea and colds. The method of zinc supplementation primarily involves dietary adjustments. It is recommended to consume foods rich in zinc, such as fish, lean meat, animal liver and kidneys, egg yolks, dairy products, and shellfish like oysters, clams, and scallops. Hard-shelled foods like chestnuts, walnuts, and peanuts are also good sources. Traditional Chinese medicine for zinc supplementation can also be effective.