Lack of Smell and Taste
People who suffer from zinc deficiency can also have altered senses of taste and smell. A person who has lost their sense of taste suffers from ageusia. Infections, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, and other similar factors can cause ageusia. People with ageusia have difficulty detecting sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes. Although complete ageusia is rare, as one or two in 1,000 people can develop the condition, it is common for people aged 50 and above.
Meanwhile, people who have lost their sense of smell are said to suffer from anosmia. Anosmia affects the person’s ability to detect odors, and it can be due to an infection, nasal polyps, or other blockages in the nasal cavity. Although anosmia can be extremely disturbing, it can be treated by taking care of the underlying cause of the problem.
According to evidence, one of the reasons why people develop ageusia or anosmia is because of the decrease in zinc levels. Zinc plays a crucial role in taste and smell perception, and if a person has a pronounced deficiency, it can easily affect their senses. Therefore, people must work with doctors to obtain a personalized treatment plan to ensure that they can cure their loss of taste and smell.
