Proper Name: Zinc

Common Name: Zinc

Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of Zinc deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders. Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between zinc and aggression^2,3,4,5,6, ADHD^{7,8,9,10,11,12,13}, depression^{14,15,16,17,18,19}, and premenstrual syndrome^{20,21,22,23,24}.                  

References:

1. Walwork JC et al. Distribution of minerals and catecholamines in rat brain: effects of zinc deficiency, in CJ Frederickson et al, Eds. The Neurobiology of Zinc, Part B: Deficiency, Toxicity and Pathology (Neurology and Neurobiology V. 11B). New York, Alan R. Liss, 1984:49-64.

2. Prasad AS. Clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency. Nutr Rev 41(7):197, 1983.

Schauss AG et al. A critical analysis of the diets of chronic juvenile offenders, Part II. J Orthomol Psychiatry 8(4):222-6, 1979.

3. William J. Walsh, analytical chemist, Argonne National Laboratory – reported in Sci News 124:122-5, 1983.

4. Von Hilsheimer G, Philpott W, Buckley W, Klotz SC. Correcting the incorrigible. A report on 229 “incorrigible” adolescents. Am Lab 107:22-49, 1977.

5. William J. Walsh. Zinc deficiency, metal metabolism, and behavior disorders. Unpublished monograph. Health Research Institute, 1804 Centre Point Dr., Suite 106, Naperville, IL 60503, March 1995.

6. Bennett CPW, McEwen LM, McEwen HC, Rose EL. The Shipley Project: treating food allergy to prevent criminal behavior in community settings. J Nutr Environ Med 8:77-83, 1998.

7. Ward NI. Assessment of chemical factors in relation to child hyperactivity. J Nutr Environ Med 7:333-42, 1997.

8. Bekaroglu M, Aslan Y, Gedik Y, et al. Relationships between serum free fatty acids and zinc, and attention deficity hyperactivity disorder: a research note. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 37(2):225-7, 1996.

9. Kozielec T, Starobrat-Hermelin B, Kotkowiak L. [Deficiency of certain trace elements in children with hyperactivity.] Psychiatr Pol 28(3):345-53, 1994.

10. Ward NI et al. The influence of the chemical additive tartrazine on the zinc status of hyperactive children – a double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Nutr Med 1:51-7, 1990.

11. Arnold LE, Votalato NA, Kleykamp D, et al. Does hair zinc predict amphetamine improvement of ADD/hyperactivity? Int J Neruosci 50(1-2):103-7, 1990.

12. Barlow PJ. A pilot study on the metal levels in the hair of hyperactive children. Med Hypotheses 11(3):309-18, 1983.

13. Golub MR, Takeuchi PT, Keen CL, et al. Activity and attention in zinc-deprived adolescent monkeys. Am J Clin Nutr 64:908-15, 1996.

14. Tasman-Jones C. Zinc deficiency states. Adv Intern Med 26:97-114, 1980.

15. Maes M, Vandoolaeghe E, Neels H, et al. Lower serum zinc in major depression is a sensitive marker of treatment resistance and of the immune/inflammatory response in that illness. Biol Psychiatry 42(5):349-58, 1997.

16. Maes M, D’Haese PC, Scharpe S, et al. Hypozincemia in depression. J Affect Disord 31(2):135-40, 1994.

17. Narang RL, Gupta KR, Narang AP, Singh R. Levels of copper and zinc in depression. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 35(4):272-4, 1991.

18. McLoughlin IJ, Hodge JS. Zinc in depressive disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 82(6), 451-3, 1990.

19. Little KY, Castellanos X, Humphries LL, Austin J. Altered zinc metabolism in mood disorder patients. Biol Psychiatry 26:646-8, 1989.

20. Posaci C, Erten O, Uren A, Acar B. Plasma copper, zinc and magnesium levels in patients with premenstrual tension syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 73(6):452-5, 1994.

21. Choung C, Dawson E. Zinc and copper levels in premenstrual syndrome. Fert Steril 62:313-20, 1994.

22. Mira M, Stewart PM, Abraham SF. Vitamin and trace element status in premenstrual syndrome. Am J Cin Nutr 47(4):636-41, 1988.

23. Stewart A. Clinical and biochemical effects of nutritional supplementation on the premenstrual syndrome. J Reprod Med 32:435-41, 1987.