Got Zinc?
 

Well, it seems we have a zinc deficiency. It seems with the nutrient deficiencies that we all seem to have; that if taken as a whole and researched may reveal a common etiology or at very least a link that may lead somewhere.

This sounds interesting? I wonder if it is worth trying an oral supplement; not sure it crosses BBB?


Brain-Delivery of Zinc-Ions as Potential Treatment for Neurological Diseases: Mini Review.


Laura

zinc does cross the blood brain barrier, but the brain regulates the amount and how it is used. Disregulation of zinc may be a culprit in neuro deseases, but we are a long way from treatment. If you are not vegetarian chances are you get plenty of zinc in your diet, but modest supplementation can't hurt. Too much zinc is toxic.

There are people with a genetic error of metabolism called pyroluria who lose zinc (along with B6) thru the urine.
This is due to a defect in the manufacture of heme in the liver. By products called pyrroles are made which in themselves are not a problem, but they complex out B6 and zinc from the blood and make them unavailable to the body.

Treatments include testing for zinc/copper ratio, and then treatment with zinc supplements. Pyroluria may be present in up to 10% of people, silently. It is thought to increase anxiety and craving for alcohol.

http://drkaslow.com/html/pyroluria.html

Zinc treatment should be tested/monitored with blood work. A simple urine screening done by special labs can ID the disorder. No RX is needed for this test. But treatment should be supervised by a doctor, if the screening shows high pyrroles in the urine. High zinc intake needs to be balanced with copper, because if the ratio changes, low copper can become serious.

Also some common drugs deplete zinc. ACE inhibitors (some here on PD use these) for blood pressure are one family that deplete zinc from the body. People using acid blocking drugs may also become low in zinc because acid is needed to absorb zinc properly. Hormones, diuretics, and steroids will also deplete zinc over time.