The Role of Zinc in the Treatment of ADHD in Children
A study was undertaken at Osijek University Hospital, Croatia about zinc deficiencies in children with ADHD.
The following is is a summary of the findings.
Zinc is an essential cofactor of more than 100 enzymes, which are necessary in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins and nucleic acids.
It is an important factor in the metabolism of neurotransmitters, prostaglandins, and for maintaining brain structure and function. Dopamine is one of the most important factors in the pathophysiology of hyperactivity disorder, and the hormone melatonin has an important role in the regulation of dopamine.
Because zinc is necessary in the metabolism of melatonin, it can be assumed that zinc is a very important factor in the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
It is known that deficit of some minerals and vitamins is connected with hyperkinetic disorder. Preliminary investigations in humans show that many children with ADHD have lower zinc concentration in relation to healthy children.
Zinc sulfate as an adjunct to methylphenidate has favorable effects in the treatment of ADHD children, pointing to the possible association of zinc deficit and ADHD pathophysiology.
Zinc concentration can only point to some other factors (malnutrition) that can lead to ADHD, but is not a factor that has a causative role in ADHD.
Therefore, zinc supplementation to nutrition or to ADHD therapy may be of great benefit in ADHD children with zinc deficit or low plasma zinc concentration.
There are many theories about the possible origin of hyperactive disorder, and one of the most widely studied is the theory of the role of dopamine, which is supported by the results of treatment in these children with dopamine agonists like methylphenidate and amphetamines.
A study of ADHD treatment with zinc sulfate as a supplement to methylphenidate showed beneficial effects of zinc supplementation in the treatment of children with ADHD.
The dose of zinc sulfate used was 55 mg/day, which is equivalent to 15 mg zinc. The improvement achieved in ADHD children with the use of zinc sulfate appears to confirm the role of zinc deficiency in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.
Additional studies are needed to identify the real and efficient dose of zinc.
If you would like to read the full article on the research findings, follow this link.
