Here’s a fun way to test for a zinc deficiency, which is common in many people, especially those with compromised immune systems and/or picky eaters: do a zinc challenge. It’s very easy to do: buy some Zinc Challenge, put a little in a cup, swish it in your mouth, then spit it out. It will taste different depending on your zinc status.
People with a zinc deficiency commonly have either a poor sense or a hyper-sensitive sense of taste and smell, and they won’t be able to taste the zinc sulfate monohydrate that’s in Zinc Challenge. Those with sufficient zinc will notice that it tastes like old eggs and will want to spit it out immediately. In my experience, most people think it tastes like water.
Be sure not to tell anyone ahead of time (especially kids) what kind of tastes to expect!
by Maria Rickert Hong, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, AADP
Maria Rickert Hong is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She specializes in recovery from symptoms of autoimmune, neurological, behavioral and digestive disorders, as she has recovered her own sons from Sensory Processing Disorder, asthma and acid reflux. She is also a board member, media director and blogger for Epidemic Answers, a non-profit whose goal is to let parents know recovery is possible from autism, ADHD, SPD, allergies, asthma, autoimmune, Lyme and more. She can be reached at [email protected]