1 Introduction Zinc (Zn) is a trace element that serves as a cofactor involved in cellular signaling, differentiation, proliferation, oxidative stress mitigation, and immune function. Deficiency may present with nonspecific features such as skin lesions, gastrointestinal upset, growth impairment, and fatigue, which can be easily misattributed or overlooked (Kiouri et al. 2023; Shankar and Prasad 1998; Maxfield et al. 2025; UpToDate 2025).