 |
|
|
ZINC SUPPLEMENT REDUCES SYMPTOMS OF ADHD
Two decades of research indicate that low zinc levels play a role in
hyperactivity-a finding supported by a new study revealing that zinc
can be a beneficial treatment for many children with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Mustafa Bilici et al. randomly assigned 400 children with ADHD (328
boys and 72 girls) to take either a placebo or 150 mg per day of zinc
sulfate for 12 weeks. The researchers evaluated the subjects using a
clinical ADHD scale, an adaptation of the Conners Teacher
Questionnaire, and a parent rating scale.
Bilici et al. report that subjects taking zinc "showed significant
improvement in hyperactivity, impulsivity and socialization scores,"
although the treatment had no effect on attention deficits. Older children
with higher body mass indexes, low zinc levels, and low levels of free
fatty acids responded best to the intervention.
The researchers note that zinc is integral to the production of
serotonin, and that low serotonin is linked to a wide range of behavior
problems, including impulsivity. In addition, Bilici et al. note, zinc is
needed for the production and modulation of melatonin, which helps
regulate dopamine function, and ADHD is strongly linked to abnormal
dopamine levels.
Zinc also is involved in the metabolism of essential fatty acids, which
in turn help regulate dopamine and norepinephrine metabolism. Studies
implicate low levels of essential fatty acids in ADHD
(see related article, Crime Times, 2004, Vol. 10, No. 2, Page 3),
and
Bilici et al. note that in their study, zinc treatment resulted in a rise in
both zinc and free fatty acids.
In light of their findings, the researchers say, "it can be suggested that
there is a synergism of zinc and essential fatty acids in regulating
dopamine, norepinephrine, and possibly serotonin activity, with
implications for treatment of ADHD." Because zinc alone did not
completely ameliorate all symptoms of ADHD, the researchers say, it
may be most effective as an adjunct to other treatments.
Researcher Bernard Rimland, commenting on the study, says, "The
improvement seen in these children in just 12 weeks is particularly
remarkable given that hyperactive children who are deficient in zinc are
likely to be deficient in other nutrients, such as magnesium, as well.
Giving these children adequate supplements of all essential nutrients is
likely to be vastly more beneficial than merely giving one nutrient, and
should be tried in place of drug treatment."
Support for this approach comes from a study, conducted last year, in
which K. L. Harding and colleagues placed 10 children with ADHD on
Ritalin, and compared them to 10 ADHD children given dietary
supplements consisting of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino
acids, and other nutrients. The researchers found that "the effect of
Ritalin versus dietary supplement treatment was found to be essentially
the same, and both treatments were found to be effective after four weeks
of use."
-----
"Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zinc sulfate in the
treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder," M. Bilici, F.
Yildirim, S. Kandil, M. Bekaroglu, S. Yildirmis, O. Deger, M. Ulge, A.
Yildiran, and H. Aksu, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and
Biological Psychiatry, Vol. 28, No. 1, January 2004, 181-90.
Address: Mustafa Bilici, Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty,
Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey,
bilici@msn.com.
-- and --
"Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin versus food-supplement
treated children with ADHD," K. L. Harding, R. D. Judah, and C. Gant,
Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, August 2003, 319-
30. Address: Charles Gant, National Integrated Health Associates, 5225
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20015,
drgantspractice@aol.com.
|
|
