You will need preferably zinc sulfate (15 mg) from any health food store. Make sure you don’t eat, drink, or smoke for at least a half hour prior to the test. Put 2 teaspoons of the zinc solution in your mouth, swirling it for 30 seconds, then simply swallow it or spit it out.
Take note of your reactions to the zinc, expressed either as facial expressions or verbal comments. In the mouth, there is an enzyme polypeptide called gustin that is responsible for identifying the specific taste of zinc. This will allow you to estimate your zinc levels, by the intensity of the zinc you taste.
- If the zinc solution is tasteless or tastes like water, that indicates that you are very zinc deficient, and high supplementation of zinc is needed.
- A mild metallic taste reveals that you are slightly zinc deficient, and a moderate supplementation of zinc is needed.
- Finally, a strong, bitter or highly metallic taste indicates that your zinc levels are adequate and no extra supplementation is warranted at this time.
In the case of zinc deficiency, eating foods rich in zinc is highly recommended, such as seafood (especially oysters), meat, dairy products, nuts, whole grains and beans. In severe zinc deficiency cases, supplementation is required.
This is not medical advice, Chat with your doctor for more information.
