Are you zinc deficient? While not a common question, a study presented at Chest 2009, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, found that patients with allergic asthma had significantly lower zinc levels than patients with other types of asthma.
Zinc is an antioxidant that may have anti-inflammatory properties related to the pathophysiology of asthma and is commonly found in beef, chicken, and pork. Many of the symptoms of zinc deficiency can be very non-specific-- rash, tiredness, poor appetite, and slow wound healing. As a result mild forms of zinc deficiency may be difficult to diagnose.
While the results of this small study should not make anyone run to the health food to get zinc supplements, researchers will likely keep looking to learn more about the relationship between zinc and asthma.
Pat, would you say that the amount of zinc found in a multi-vitamin would be enough to help someone who does not eat beef or pork?