How To Get Your Sense Of Taste Back

Natural Remedy for Loss of Taste and Smell

by Rita
(New Mexico)

I experienced total loss of taste and smell a few months ago. I've been to several doctors, but no one seems to know what the problem is.

I'm not sure if they're in any way related, but I noticed the loss of both senses after I had my teeth cleaned. I also was on antibiotics at that time.

Is there something natural I can do to remedy this loss of smell and taste? As you can imagine, eating is no longer a pleasure. Thanks.

RESPONSE

Hi Rita,

One common cause is a possible deficiency in zinc, which is a mineral that directly effects our sense of smell and taste.

It is very common to have a zinc deficiency in this country, which is why I'd recommend you check that first. Conventional farming practices have made our soils terribly depleted of this critical nutrient (and of course many others).

Stress, drugs, pollution, processed foods, and even calcium supplements all leave us vulnerable to a zinc deficiency.

Medical tests to measure the level of zinc in our bodies are expensive. Lucky for us there is a simple way to determine how much we as individuals need.

I'm talking about the zinc taste test.

Look for zinc sulfate heptahydrate - it's a natural liquid zinc supplement found in most health food stores. It's also known as aqueous zinc or simply liquid zinc.

Amazon carries it if your health food store doesn't - one cost-effective brand is Designs For Health - Zinc Challenge 8 oz Liquid.

Put a little in your mouth (a cap full will do) and swish it around your mouth. The idea is to see how long it takes you to taste the mineral.

Those of us with a deficiency will not be able to taste the zinc - even after swishing it around for over a minute (there's no point in going longer than a minute).

To get zinc levels back to where they should be, use the zinc taste test to guide you.

Take up to 150 mg per day until you can taste the mineral.

You will be shocked when you finally can taste it - it's a very strong, bitter, metallic taste that will show you just how stunted your taste buds really were.

Once your levels are back to normal taper down to a maintenance dose of 15-25 mg per day.

As a word of caution, taking more than 150 mg per day can lead to deficiencies in other minerals like copper and iron.

For more information about zinc, see my page on minerals to boost the immune system.

Wishing you the best of health.

Melissa
Approach Wellness