Is Zinc Deficiency a Worldwide Problem and Is There a Silent Epidemic in Saudi Arabia?

The study conducted at King Fahad Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among 1,000 outpatients aged 15 to 90. The results showed that 44% of the patients had low zinc levels, indicating a significant prevalence of zinc deficiency in this population. The study suggested that zinc deficiency might be widespread in the general population and should be addressed to prevent a potential epidemic. It was noted that many women with zinc deficiency reported hair loss. The study also highlighted the role of phytates, which inhibit zinc absorption, suggesting that reducing dietary phytates could be beneficial, especially for children.