Taste Loss From Nutritional Deficiencies
There are many possible causes taste loss – some more easily treated than others. One of the more easily treated causes are vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Vitamin B and zinc seem to be particularly implicated in taste loss.
Some experts believe that as many as 40% of otherwise healthy men and women have a B12 deficiency and are not aware of it. B12 is an essential vitamin that helps develop red blood cells, preventing anemia. It also helps ensure nerve health.
B12 is found in meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, fish, eggs, and poultry. As we age, the body is less able to absorb this important vitamin, so it uses up its reserves which can result in anemia and other health problems.
Symptoms of anemia include: weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness, pale skin color, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding gums, a sore, red tongue, rapid heartbeat (or chest pain), shortness of breath upon exertion and taste loss.
If the deficiency has caused damage to the brain and nerve cells, these symptoms may be evident: numbness or tingling in fingers and toes, forgetfulness, confusion, depression, poor balance and coordination, difficulty thinking and concentrating, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), impaired judgment or impulse control (personality changes), difficulty sensing vibration and dementia.
A simple blood test can check for anemia. Fortunately, B12 deficiency is easy to treat. Supplements are widely available from any pharmacy without a prescription. However, oral supplements are not the first line of treatment. More often a physician will prescribe a B12 shot because it gets into your system much more quickly and in a much larger dose. After these initial shots, you will need to continue to take a B12 oral supplement for the rest of your life to prevent the return of the symptoms of this deficiency.
Taste loss from a B12 deficiency can take over three months to return after treatments begin. In most cases of mild deficiency it will return to normal. However, in severe cases where brain damage has occurred, the return of taste to normal is less likely.
Niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency is also thought to play a role in taste loss. Very little research has been done in this area, but there is some that suggestion that loss of taste or metallic tastes in mouth can be treated successfully with vitamin A and niacin.
A substantial number of older adults (35-40% of those over 60) are not getting enough zinc. Even when supplements are taken 20-25% of older adults still remain zinc deficient. Zinc is known to be essential for maintaining the immune system, wound repair and growth. It is thought that it plays an important role in the regrowth of taste buds so it makes sense that a deficiency would cause taste loss. Zinc is found in a variety of foods (meat, beans, and fortified cereals), but can also be taken as a supplement if a deficiency is suspected. If taste loss has occurred from a zinc deficiency, then patience will be needed to see improvement. It can take as long as three months or more to see results after supplementation has been started. (Note – never take zinc nasal sprays. There have been cases of people losing their sense of smell and taste from zinc nasal sprays.)
Of course, the best way to prevent deficiencies in these vitamins and minerals is to eat a well-balanced diet. But if you know that you have been a bit lax in this area and you start having taste loss problems then check with your doctor for anemia and consider taking nutritional supplements.
