Re: supplement antagonists...ZINC -

[Guest guest]

The following Dana is from the web site but may be helpful in

answering your questions.

The reason we recommend zinc at night is we get better results with

zinc absorbtion (see below). If you have problems with hyperactivity

you may switch the form of zinc or make sure it is hypoallergenic (he

may be reacting to fillers or flavors.

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Children and adults need between 10 mg. and 50 mg. daily. It is

generally recognized that 30 to 50 % of ingested zinc is not absorbed

due to the complexing with phytic acid, perspiration loss, fiber

transport through the intestine, or because of the competition for

absorption with copper, iron and calcium. With the unique digestive

problems of autistic children and the frequent diarrhea many of them

exhibit, zinc absorption may be even lower.

Because of the absorption issues noted above, we also recommend

additional zinc supplementation before bedtime for autistic children.

By taking it at that time there will be no fiber, calcium, iron or

copper going through the system to interfere with its utilization.

This should insure enough zinc gets absorbed so autistic children are

not deficient in this extremely important immune enhancing nutrient.

Zinc is present in every cell in the body and is also a component in

over 200 enzymes as well. Actually, zinc is involved in more

enzymatic reactions than any other mineral constituent in mammals.

Zinc is essential for normal skin, vision, smell, taste, reproduction

and for protein synthesis and wound healing. It is also one of the

most important factors in a healthy immune system, as well as being

essential to normal brain development. Zinc deficiency means

increased susceptibility to infections and viruses.

Studies in 1995 published in the New England Journal of Medicine

found that zinc supplements reduced the number of diarrhea episodes

among children of developing countries.

A study published in 1997 in the Journal of the American College of

Nutrition reported that Chinese children receiving 20 mg. of zinc

supplementation daily scored 10-15% higher on educational tests than

un-supplemented children.

Zinc is involved in just about every aspect of immunity. Low zinc

levels inhibit immune enhancing " T " cells which are necessary for

immune response. When this occurs, cell functions critical to a

healthy immune system stop with immune impairment the result.

Supplementation with zinc reverses this condition and restores normal

immune responses.

Thanks

Humphrey

>

> > Zinc should be taken by itself at night for most kids. Zinc does

> tend

> > to bond and may not be well absorbed taken with other minerals.

> Since

> > most children with ASD are low on zinc and zinc is important to

add

> > at the right time.

> >

>

>

> I use zinc for my son's copper issues. I give it in the morning

with

> breakfast, about two days per week. It does make him hyper, I

think

> because of his copper issue, so I am right now experimenting with

> reducing the dose, because the more I give him, the more hyper he

> gets.

>

> Anyway, if I gave it at night we would all have trouble sleeping.

> What is the reason for giving it at night? And what is the reason

for

> giving it " by itself " ? Does that mean without other minerals, or

> without food? And what do you mean by " it does tend to bond " ?

>

> Thanks.

>

> Dana