From the Research
Hypogeusia is a medical condition characterized by a reduced ability to taste or a partial loss of taste sensation, which can result from various causes including zinc deficiency, as supported by the most recent study 1.
Definition and Causes
Hypogeusia affects how a person perceives the five basic taste qualities: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. The condition may be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying cause. Some of the causes of hypogeusia include:
- Viral infections
- Medication side effects
- Smoking
- Aging
- Neurological disorders
- Zinc deficiency, as seen in a case report where zinc supplementation improved hypogeusia in a patient with refractory iron-deficiency anemia 1
- Damage to the taste buds or nerves that transmit taste signals to the brain
Diagnosis and Treatment
Treatment typically focuses on addressing the root cause, such as changing medications, treating infections, or supplementing with zinc if deficient. Maintaining good oral hygiene and stopping smoking can also help improve taste sensation. Some key points to consider in the management of hypogeusia include:
- Identifying and addressing the underlying cause
- Supplementing with zinc if deficient, as supported by moderate quality evidence that zinc supplements improve overall taste improvement in patients with zinc deficiency/idiopathic taste disorders 2
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Stopping smoking
- Optimizing taste stimuli and nutritional support, as suggested in a study on bilateral loss of taste from a unilateral thalamic infarct 3
Quality of Life
Unlike complete taste loss (ageusia), people with hypogeusia can still detect flavors but experience them with diminished intensity, which can affect food enjoyment and nutritional intake. The condition can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, and addressing the underlying cause and providing appropriate treatment can help improve outcomes.