Zinc
What is Zinc?
Zinc is an essential mineral that is present in every cell. It is necessary for a wide range of functions including metabolism, nerve function, digestion, immune system function, growth, and skin health.
Effects on Autism
Children with autism are often found to have elevated levels of heavy metals and deficiency in trace minerals including zinc. Zinc is crucial to the development of the central nervous system including DNA repair. Excessive inflammation and poor DNA repair in autistic children may cause zinc deficiency.
It has been shown that severe zinc deficiency can worsen neurological disorders such as autism. Decreased zinc intake is linked to more severe autistic traits. Zinc supplementation is used as a therapeutic approach to lessen symptoms and comorbidities in people with autism spectrum disorder. Zinc supplementation has been shown to reverse autism associated behavioral abnormalities in mice. Organic zinc supplements have been shown to be more beneficial for people with autism than inorganic zinc supplements.
Effects on Heavy Metal Toxicity
High levels of heavy metals such as cadmium damage DNA and increase inflammation. Dietary zinc supplements have been shown to minimize and prevent heavy metal poisoning without any side effects. While excessive zinc can be toxic, it is only possible with excessive use of supplements.
Effect on Eating Behaviors and Taste
Children with autism have been shown to have poor taste identification. Taste sensitivity and disorders in autistic children often leads to selective eating. Zinc is important for proper functioning of taste buds. Supplementation of zinc improves taste disorder and reduces the risk of developing a taste disorder by 51%.
Foods High in Zinc (Highest on Top):
1. Oysters
2. Beef
3. Blue crab
4. Fortified breakfast cereals
5. Pumpkin seeds
6. Pork
7. Turkey breast
8. Cheddar cheese
9. Shrimp
10. Lentils
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Sources:
Baj J, Flieger W, Flieger M, et al. Autism spectrum disorder: Trace elements imbalances and the pathogenesis and severity of autistic symptoms. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2021;129:117-132. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.029
Bennetto L, Kuschner ES, Hyman SL. Olfaction and taste processing in autism. Biol Psychiatry. 2007;62(9):1015-1021. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.04.019
Bölte S, Girdler S, Marschik PB. The contribution of environmental exposure to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2019;76(7):1275-1297. doi:10.1007/s00018-018-2988-4
Devarapogu R, Asupatri UR. Effects of zinc supplementation in mitigating the harmful effects of chronic cadmium exposure in a zebrafish model. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2023;100:104158. doi:10.1016/j.etap.2023.104158
Indika NR, Frye RE, Rossignol DA, et al. The Rationale for Vitamin, Mineral, and Cofactor Treatment in the Precision Medical Care of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Pers Med. 2023;13(2):252. Published 2023 Jan 29. doi:10.3390/jpm13020252
Kubala J. Zinc: Everything you need to know. Healthline. Published November 28, 2022. Accessed November 5, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc#benefits
Mozaffar B, Ardavani A, Muzafar H, Idris I. The Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation in Taste Disorder Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Nutr Metab. 2023;2023:6711071. Published 2023 Mar 8. doi:10.1155/2023/6711071
Zinc. National Institutes of Health. Published September 28, 2022. Accessed November 5, 2024. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessiona