Zinc—Nutrient Deficiencies found in Children with Symptoms of ADHD (Part 5)

February 26, 2019

Zinc is a mineral that is often found to be deficient in children with symptoms of ADHD.¹ Zinc deficiency may affect cognitive development by alterations in attention, activity, neuropsychological behaviour and motor development.² Zinc and copper levels must be in balance and have shown to correlate to ADHD symptoms when the ratio is low.³ Studies have shown that when children are supplemented with zinc, it decreases hyperactive, impulsivity and poor socialization behaviours.⁴

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• Zinc deficiency is often found in children with symptoms of ADHD.
• The mineral zinc is involved in over 200 enzymatic activities that regulate many biochemical reactions throughout the body.
• You can correct a zinc deficiency by making subtle diet and supplementation changes.
• High copper levels can cause zinc levels to decrease.
• There are many potential signs and symptoms that could indicate a zinc deficiency.
• There are simple steps you can take to correct zinc deficiencies and resolve symptoms today.

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What nutrients are often found to be deficient in our children

Through this seven-part series, we will discuss the science behind these nutrient deficiencies and what steps you can take to correct them. Key nutrients that have been found to be deficient in children with ADHD symptoms include vitamin D, essential fatty acids (EFAs), and minerals including selenium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

It is important to understand the function of these nutrients in the body, how to identify a deficiency and why the deficiency may have developed, and how to address the deficiency.  

Keep in mind that entire books could and have been written about each of these nutrients, so these articles will stick to the highlights to give you the best overview.

The importance and role of zinc

Zinc is a mineral that is involved in over 200 enzymatic activities that regulate many biochemical reactions throughout the body.  It plays a role in energy metabolism,  protein synthesis, immunity and detoxification. In addition, zinc has been shown to play a role in epigenetic dysregulation.⁵

Zinc is required for brain development and maintenance, supporting the adrenal glands (significant to the stress response).  

In addition, zinc metabolism is tied to copper metabolism. This relationship means that if one of these minerals is out of balance, then the other will be too.  More often than not zinc is found to be too low which results in copper being too high (out of balance zinc to copper ratio). Elevated levels of copper can be harmful and cause oxidation and high levels of free radicals and at the same time inhibit antioxidant enzymes.⁶

Dr. William Walsh outlines the many roles of zinc in brain function in his book Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain:

• Zinc metallothionein is a key component of the blood-brain barrier that prevents harmful chemicals from entering the brain
• Zinc proteins in the brain combat oxidative free radicals that could destroy brain cells, harm the myelin sheath, and alter neurotransmitter levels.
• Zinc is required for the efficient conversion of dietary B-6 into PLP, which is needed for efficient synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other neurotransmitters.
• Zinc deficiency can cause copper overloads that can alter brain levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.
• Zinc is a neurotransmitter that is stored in vesicles and ejected into synapses.
• Zinc has a special role in the activation and inhibition of NMDA receptors.⁷

How do you know if your child is zinc deficient?

There are many potential signs and symptoms of a zinc deficiency:

• Week immunity ( a child that goes from one cold/sickness to the next)
• Poor neurological function (including attention challenges)
• White lines or white spots on the nails