Which are risk factors for zinc deficiency and typical signs?

• A. Inadequate intake, malabsorption, increased needs; signs include impaired taste, wound healing, and immune function.
• B. Excess zinc intake; signs of hair loss.
• C. Zinc deficiency only occurs with vitamin C deficiency.
• D. Zinc is essential but deficiency never occurs.

Answer: (A)

Zinc deficiency shows up when intake is too low, absorption is impaired, or the body's needs are higher than usual. Because zinc supports taste, wound healing, and immune function, the deficiency presents with signs like impaired taste, slower wound healing, and compromised immunity.

This makes the option with inadequate intake, malabsorption, and increased needs as risk factors, along with signs of impaired taste, wound healing, and immune function, the best fit. The other statements are not correct: excess zinc intake isn’t a risk factor for deficiency (and hair loss isn’t the classic sign), zinc deficiency can occur independent of vitamin C status, and it can occur at all, not never.