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Reported April 12, 2004
Zinc for ADHD?
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Zinc supplements may increase the effectiveness of
stimulants for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
according to researchers from Iran.
The small study included children who had recently been diagnosed with ADHD but
who had never taken any medication for their condition. For six weeks, half of
the children were given the standard treatment of stimulants along with zinc
supplements and half were given stimulants along with a placebo. Researchers
say the children taking zinc improved much faster than the others.
Doctors at Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran, say behavior improved
in both groups of children, but the kids taking zinc showed a more marked
improvement in their condition after six weeks. Kids taking zinc were
three-times more likely to complain of nausea, but the frequency of other side
effects did not differ between the two groups. Nearly all of the kids taking
zinc complained of the metallic taste of the supplements.
The authors say, “Zinc is basic for the production and modulation of
melatonin, which helps regulate dopamine function, supposed to be an important
factor in ADHD and its treatment.†Scientists say dopamine, a
neurotransmittor, helps the brain register feelings of reward and pleasure.
Researchers conclude, “ADHD children with zinc deficiency might benefit form
a change in diet or from therapeutic trial with zinc supplementation.â€
Zinc is a mineral that helps the body form proteins, and it assists in wound
healing, blood formation, and growth and maintenance of all tissues. Oysters
are known to be an excellent source of zinc. Other sources include meat,
seafood, and liver. Eggs and other dairy products supply zinc, but in smaller
amounts. Some vegetables also contain zinc, but nutritionists say it not
absorbed as well by the body.
Since their study was quite small, the researchers say further research is
needed to confirm the positive effects of zinc supplements on children with
ADHD.
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SOURCE: BMC Psychiatry, published online April 8, 2004