Anorexia nervosa and the lack of zinc

In 1973 doctors Sommerset and Goldman, two researchers engaged in the study of the influence of zinc on the human organism, came to the conclusion that the lack of zinc causes loss of appetite in children. Later on this hypothesis was proved to be true.

The first aimed investigations were hold in 1980 at Kentucky University. Scientists found that 10 out of 13 patients with anorexia nervosa and 8 out of 14 patients with bulimia nervosa also had insufficiency of zinc. Among the common symptoms of anorexia nervosa and the lack of zinc are:

• Loss of weight
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Absence of periods (for women)
  
• Impotence (for men)
  
• Nausea
  
• Inflammation and dryness of skin
  
• Poor hair
• Poor assimilation of nutrients
  
• Confusion of thinking
  
• Depression, anxiety, fear

Zinc is essentially important for normal digestion and cell construction, and the lack of it results in damage of walls of intestines, what prevents absorbing of nutritious elements. All this makes up a sort of a vicious circle, as zinc can’t be absorbed in necessary quantity.

In 1984 the first case of anorexia treatment with the use of zinc was described. A 13-year-old anorexic girl, suffering from depression and mentally suppressed, weighed only 37 kg. She was observed and diagnosed by a skilled psychiatrist, but after three months of traditional treatment her weight fell down to 31,5 kg. But after two months of reception of zinc 45 mg day the weight increased up to 44,5 kg, the mood of the patient improved considerably, and the blood test showed that the level of zinc was normal.

Thus, people suffering from anorexia nervosa often have insufficiency of zinc, and reception of zinc medications in course of treatment brings positive results in the overwhelming majority of cases. Unfortunately, in many clinics and medical centers zinc is still not widely used to treat anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.