Zinc is one of the 5 most important minerals for the human body. The others are iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Zinc contributes to better immune system function, cell division, faster wound healing, and tissue repair. It's also very important for pregnant women and the elderly...

Shellfish are indeed one of the best sources of zinc, and they also contain plenty of selenium, which plays a crucial role in synthesizing hormones produced in the thyroid. To ensure the body gets as many nutrients as possible and that the absorption of nutrients reaches the cells in the body easily and in large quantities, it's advisable to eat plenty of leafy green vegetables. This way, we introduce enough zinc into the body to avoid any issues.

However, it's important to note that zinc obtained from meat enters our body much more effectively than in the case of vegetarians. So if you don't eat a lot of meat or not at all, then you should consume more legumes, soy, beans, nuts, and whole grains.

Otherwise, a zinc deficiency can also manifest as:

• Acne, eczema, dry and flaky skin, itching...
  
  
• A white tongue and non-specific mouth ulcers (this is quite common and easiest to notice).
  
• Respiratory and digestive problems (these can occur even if we haven't eaten anything unusual).
  
• Loss of appetite (this could also be a sign that your immune system is about to weaken).
  
• Lethargy (mental dullness, inactivity, listlessness).
  
• Hair loss.
  
• Slower wound healing (by the way, did you know that saliva is the best ointment for wound healing that we know of).