Rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are growing apace in Western countries, affecting an increasing number of younger adults year after year. Sometimes, the condition causes nutritional deficiencies that produce their own spectrum of clinical symptoms. A rash around the mouth, for instance, could signal that liver dysfunction is compromising concentrations of zinc in the blood.
Chronic liver diseases such as NAFLD have been known to hinder the absorption of certain nutrients like zinc.
As such, many people who have abnormal levels of fat in their liver also have an underlying zinc deficiency.
This was reinforced in a study published in the journal Metabolism Open in 2021, which proposed a number of potential causes for the prevalence of zinc deficiency in fatty liver patients.
The report stated: “Patients with NAFLD were shown to have significantly reduced serum zinc concentrations compared with controls.”
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Additionally, these lower zinc concentrations were found to be associated with the higher stages of liver fibrosis in patients with diagnosed NAFLD.
The authors stated that insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, decreased absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and inadequate dietary intake could all be potential causes for low zinc levels.
In 2022, a meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrients explained that Zinc is an essential trace element for the maintenance of life because it acts as a centre of activity of cofactor for hundreds of enzymes.
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“This rash often looks like small, red, acne-like breakouts in people with light-coloured skin and skin-coloured breakouts in people who have skin of colour.”
A compromised liver may also spur other symptoms on the face, such as puffiness, itching and rosacea.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that a great number of patients with NAFLD do not experience any symptoms whatsoever.
Fortunately, past research led by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro suggested zinc supplements may reduce lipid accumulation in the liver but also improve liver damage.
Individuals considering taking zinc supplements are advised to see professional advice first, however.
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