Are there any symptoms of marginal zinc deficiency?
A. Yes, there are a lot of symptoms of marginal zinc deficiency. Zinc is involved in so many processes that symptoms of marginal deficiency are pretty nondescript, unlike vitamin C, where classic deficiency symptoms are clear. With zinc, so many different proteins can be affected, and you see very generalized deficits in immune function, slow growth and general malaise in children, or gastrointestinal problems. Q. Do you think that zinc lozenges may be helpful in treating the common cold? A. I think that the evidence is somewhat equivocal. I doubt that there is a strong, direct antiviral effect, but zinc does affect immune function. It’s possible that marginal zinc deficiencies are going relatively undetected in the U.S. When you take the zinc supplements, you start to restore your zinc status, and that helps to boost your immune system. Some research has used zinc sprays, but one of its side effects is a loss of smell, sometimes permanently. Q. You have done a lot of work with zinc an
