Approaches to Iron Deficiency and Zinc Deficiency in Japanese Traditional Medicine

Abstract

In modern clinical practice, Japanese Traditional Medicine (Kampo therapy) is utilized in various fields where Western medical treatment faces limitations; however, it remains unrecognized that it s therapeutic efficacy is reduced in cases of iron deficiency and zinc deficiency. Iron deficiency w ithout anemia often remains undiagnosed in the majority of cases, even when patients present with symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, or throat discomfort. This i s partly attributable to inadequate recognition of the appropriate reference range for serum ferritin. Zinc deficiency commonly manifests with symptoms related to fragility of the skin and mucous m embranes. In the author’s clinical experience, only approximately 20% of cases with reduced seru m zinc levels respond to zinc supplementation. Potential etiologies include malnutrition (including i ron deficiency), diarrhea, excessive sweating, and long-term use of Western pharmaceuticals, althou gh many cases remain idiopathic. In zinc deficiency, a thorough evaluation of the underlying caus es is essential.