Who Is Most Prone to Zinc Deficiency and Why

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated two billion people worldwide are affected by some form of zinc deficiency, making it a major global health concern. While severe deficiency is rare in developed countries, understanding who is most prone to zinc deficiency is vital for addressing marginal shortfalls that can still impact health.

Quick Summary

Certain groups are at higher risk for zinc deficiency, including pregnant women, older adults, vegetarians, and those with gastrointestinal diseases or chronic alcoholism. Risks stem from increased bodily demand, poor dietary intake, or impaired absorption.

Key Points

Life Stage Risks: Pregnant and lactating women, infants over six months, and older adults are at a higher risk of zinc deficiency due to increased needs or decreased absorption.
Dietary Risks: Vegetarians and vegans are more prone to deficiency because plant-based zinc is less bioavailable and inhibited by phytates in grains and legumes.
GI and Absorption Issues: Individuals with chronic gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn's, celiac disease) or those who have had bariatric surgery are at risk due to malabsorption.
Chronic Conditions: People with conditions like chronic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, or alcoholism are susceptible to deficiency from increased zinc loss or poor intake.
Detection Can Be Difficult: Diagnosing mild zinc deficiency can be challenging with lab tests alone, as symptoms like impaired immunity or skin issues can have other causes.
Increased Illness Susceptibility: Zinc deficiency can lead to a compromised immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections, particularly in children.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in hundreds of enzymatic functions within the body, including those that support the immune system, wound healing, protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism. Unlike some other nutrients, the human body does not have specialized zinc storage systems, so a regular dietary intake is critical. When intake or absorption is insufficient, zinc levels can drop, leading to deficiency and a wide array of health issues.

Key Populations at Risk

Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing a zinc deficiency. These are often related to diet, specific life stages, or underlying medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption or increase zinc excretion.

Life Stage and Dietary Risks

Certain life stages and dietary patterns create a higher demand for zinc or limit its availability from food sources.

Pregnant and lactating women: The demand for zinc increases significantly during pregnancy to support the growth and development of the fetus. Similarly, breastfeeding requires higher zinc intake to produce milk, which is the sole source of nutrition for an infant in their early months.
Infants and young children: These groups have high zinc needs for rapid growth. Exclusively breastfed infants over six months old may not get enough zinc, as breast milk content decreases over time. Malnourished children, especially in developing countries, are at a severely high risk.
Older adults: As people age, appetite can decrease, and certain medications and chronic conditions can impact nutrient absorption. Institutionalized elderly individuals often have lower serum zinc concentrations.
Vegetarians and vegans: Zinc from plant-based foods, such as grains and legumes, is less bioavailable compared to animal-based sources like meat and seafood. The phytates in these plant foods bind to zinc, inhibiting its absorption. Vegetarians often require a 50% higher dietary zinc intake to compensate.

Medical Conditions and Absorption Issues

Chronic diseases and medical treatments can significantly interfere with the body’s ability to absorb, use, or retain zinc.

Gastrointestinal diseases: Conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption and increasing zinc loss through diarrhea.
Chronic alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption hinders zinc absorption and increases its urinary excretion. People with alcoholism also often have poor nutritional intake, exacerbating the problem.
Chronic kidney disease: Individuals with chronic renal disease may have increased zinc loss in their urine. This is especially true for those on dialysis.
Sickle cell disease: Patients with sickle cell disease have been shown to have low zinc levels, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood. It may be due to the disease itself or medication side effects.
Diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes often have low zinc levels, potentially due to increased urinary loss linked to poor glycemic control.
Bariatric surgery patients: Procedures that reduce the size of the stomach or bypass sections of the small intestine can severely limit nutrient absorption, including that of zinc.

Comparison of Dietary Zinc Bioavailability

Different dietary patterns present varying levels of risk due to the bioavailability of zinc and the presence of absorption-inhibiting compounds like phytates.


Feature	Omnivorous Diet	Vegetarian/Vegan Diet
Primary Zinc Sources	Red meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs	Legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains
Zinc Bioavailability	High (around 50%) due to absence of high phytate levels	Lower (around 15-30%) due to high phytate content in staples
Absorption Inhibitors	Minimal	High levels of phytates, especially if grains and legumes are not properly prepared (soaked, sprouted, or fermented).
Risk of Deficiency	Low, provided intake is adequate and balanced	Higher, potentially requiring supplementation to meet needs
Prevention Strategy	Focus on a varied diet with lean protein sources	Intentional planning, soaking/sprouting legumes, and considering fortified foods or supplements

Other Factors Influencing Zinc Levels

In addition to the major risk categories, other factors can impact zinc status. Severe or persistent diarrhea, for example, can cause significant zinc loss, as can certain medications like diuretics. A severe injury, such as a major burn, can also lead to excessive zinc loss.

Conclusion

While zinc deficiency can impact anyone, specific populations face a heightened risk due to a combination of dietary factors, medical conditions, and life stages. Awareness of these risk factors is the first step toward prevention. For pregnant women, young children, older adults, vegetarians and vegans, and those with chronic health conditions like gastrointestinal disorders or alcoholism, proactive dietary planning and, in some cases, supplementation are crucial to maintain adequate zinc levels. Consulting a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help create an effective strategy to address individual needs and prevent health complications associated with zinc deficiency. The National Institutes of Health provides comprehensive information on zinc and other essential minerals, reinforcing the importance of proper nutritional intake.

For more information on dietary guidelines and zinc intake, visit the National Institutes of Health: Zinc - Consumer Fact Sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms can include impaired immune function, frequent infections, hair loss, skin rashes, poor wound healing, and a decreased sense of taste and smell.

Vegetarians and vegans can meet their zinc needs by consuming zinc-rich plant foods like nuts, seeds, and legumes, and by using techniques like soaking and sprouting to reduce phytate levels and increase absorption. They may also consider supplementation.

During pregnancy and lactation, a woman’s body requires more zinc to support the growth of the fetus and to produce zinc-rich breast milk for the infant.

Older adults, especially those with reduced appetite or who take certain medications, may have trouble getting adequate zinc through diet alone. Medications and chronic conditions can also affect absorption.

Chronic conditions linked to zinc deficiency include inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), chronic kidney disease, liver disease, sickle cell disease, and diabetes.

Chronic alcohol use reduces the body's ability to absorb zinc from the intestine and increases the amount of zinc excreted through urine. Alcoholics also tend to have a poor diet, which further lowers intake.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare, inherited condition that prevents the body from properly absorbing zinc. It typically appears in infancy and requires lifelong zinc supplementation.