http://www.drkaslow.com/html/zinc.html
ZINC DEFICIENCY and METABOLISM
Zinc is a component of more than 80 enzymes. High concentrations have been found in brain hippocampus, and many medical researchers believe that zinc is a neurotransmitter. Low zinc levels at these sites could reduce the inhibition of neuron activity, thus leading to abnormal behavior. Zinc deficiency can result in irritability, anger episodes, impaired immune function, acne, stunting of growth, poor taste and smell sensitivity, and impaired wound healing. There is a high incidence of zinc deficiency in people labeled with ADD, autism, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders and bipolar disorders.
The discovery of zinc "finger proteins" in the past decade has led to a vastly improved understanding of how cells replicate and divide. The role of these proteins in behavior is not yet clarified. Zinc is far more important than often recognized, and low levels of zinc are associated with behavior disorders.
Zinc is found in the highest concentration in the middle ear and cochlea, the eye, the brain, and in the prostate and sperm.
A large percentage of behavior disordered persons exhibit abnormal levels of copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, calcium, magnesium and manganese in blood, urine, and tissues. This appears to involve a malfunction of the metal-binding protein, metallothionein. Most of these patients have symptoms of zinc deficiency along with depressed levels of zinc in their blood plasma.
Elevated blood copper has been associated with episodic violence, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and depression. Zinc is antagonistic to cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Clinical symptoms compatible with zinc depletion.
* Eczema, acne, and/or psoriasis
* Poor wound healing, including leg ulcers and oral lesions
* Lines of Beau on the fingernails
* Growth retardation
* Delayed sexual maturation
* Poor taste acuity/ ability
* Chronic immunodeficiency and frequent infections
A "working diagnosis" of zinc deficiency can be made if clinical symptoms of zinc deficiency are clearly evident from the initial physical examination and medical history. Usually more than one or the above symptoms are present in zinc deficiency. Behavioral problems and pyroluria should also raise suspicion of zinc deficiency.
Zinc deficient individuals usually respond well to supplementation. Many patients who previously experienced years of counseling, psychotherapy, aggressive medication programs, and/or residential treatment become greatly improved and respond to less intensive (and less expensive) therapies. Zinc deficiency can be corrected, but not cured. If treatment is discontinued, zinc deficiency usually will reemerge with all symptoms gradually returning. Zinc deficiency, like diabetes, requires life long treatment.
I was wondering is Zinc something that should be given for children who
are on the spectrum. I myself have not given my son anything not even a
multi vitamin. He does not like that stuff so i have a hard time giving
him anything especially medicine when he is sick. But i have heard alot
of things about zinc being good for the brain. My cousins son has
PDdnos and she started zinc about 6 months ago and he is totally
different now he is even 100% potty trained.. Just a question i had
My 4 y/o takes zinc and it really seems to help him. I recently ran out and we have seen him regress slightly. The last time we ran out we saw the same thing so we will def. keep giving it to him. Try kirkman labs. They have a cream and a liquid. We use the liquid - put it in watery juice at bedtime.
Cat
Yes, both of my kids are deficient in zinc (among other minerals) and we administer it to them daily. There is a blood test you can get done called the Red Cell Elements test, however it is only performed at certain specialized labs around the country. Local labs don't have the facilities to do it. Basically, it measures what your red cells are absorbing versus what is floating around in the blood.
Doctor's Data Inc and Great Smokies Lab/ Genova labs are two that I know can run this test.
However, it certainly doesn't hurt to start giving a multivitamin that has zinc either.
Ds has no problem taking pills. He was taking iron but it constipated him - he still didn't mind taking the giant horse pills though! Which amazes me because I'm not sure I could have swallowed them. I couldn't believe the doc prescribed those size pills for a 5 1/2 year old! And actually, he was just 5 at that time. So, I am pretty sure that he would take a zinc supplement - he has a lot of those symptoms listed. Especially that he tends to get sick a lot - and before he was 3 (before pre-school) he was almost NEVER sick!
Danyell,
How old is the cousin who started getting zinc? I just wonder if it is too late to see great improvement at age 5 1/2 - when those neurotransmitters are starting to become more adult-like and that window starts to close...
[QUOTE=snoopywoman]Danyell,
How old is the cousin who started getting zinc? I just wonder if it is too late to see great improvement at age 5 1/2 - when those neurotransmitters are starting to become more adult-like and that window starts to close...
[/QUOTE]There are many vitamins that also come in lotion/cream form and zinc is one.