India, Jan. 2 -- Apart from maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, zinc is one of the most crucial nutrients for overall body function. It plays a vital role in wound healing, proper growth and development, hormone production, and protein synthesis, the process by which the human body produces proteins. Since the body cannot produce zinc on its own, relying on zinc-rich foods is essential. Several signs may indicate zinc deficiency, including poor appetite and unintended weight loss, digestive issues such as impaired gut barrier function and diarrhea, delayed wound healing, hair loss or thinning (alopecia), and even vision loss with time.

Darshana, a nutritionist at Rainbow Children's Hospital, tells Health Shots: "Zinc also supports...