Zinc supplements are key in my sons biomedical treatment regimen.

Gastrointestinal disorders may cause

zinc deficiency, often with loss of nutrients due to diarrhea. Malabsorption and maldigestion that goes alo
ng with digestive enzyme weakness, food allergies and intolerance can cause kids on the spectrum to hav
e subnormal zinc blood levels. Zinc may also be displaced by copper in some tissues if copper uptake is e
xcessive. It also plays a very important role as an enzyme activator or stabilizer.
Since my sons zinc blood levels were low and he also suffered from malabsorption and maldigestion, zinc
supplements were necessary and important. His gastrointestinal functioning needed to improve or normal
ize, and required dietary intervention and regular use of digestive enzymes. Zinc also assists in healing the
gut, and my DAN! doctor told me our bodies do their best work of recovery and healing at night, during our
sleep. So my son takes his zinc supplement before bed, on an empty stomach with his probiotic. He has
not suffered any stomach upset from this regimen.
Often zinc is included in multivitamin and multimineral blends. But we found supplementing it separately w
orked best for our son. According to DAN! protocol, it should be given away from meals or in the evening,
several hours after dinner. The reason for this is supplemental zinc may slow the digestive action of dipept
idylpepitdase 4 (DPP4). If youre not familiar with DPP4 is a digestive enzyme, peptidase that breaks down
the peptides formed during protein digestion. It is recommended to not give zinc at the same time with cal
cium, iron or folate since they compete for absorption.
Another interesting benefit from proper zinc levels due to supplementation, is that parents report zinc suppl
ements help their child with autism accept new foods in their diet. Its also been reported that it helps with t
he chewies or mouthing of objects, or hands in the mouth. One reason for this is zinc is in the saliva prot
ein gustin, which has a major role in the sensation of taste.
Zinc is a critically important nutrient for cognitive function because it protects neurotransmitters. That is wh
y you may have heard the adage No zinc, no think. Therefore, zinc supplementation may improve cognit
ion in children with ADHD and lessen hyperactivity and impulsivity. Just like children with autism, ADHD ki
ds may be deficient in zinc.
Oral zinc supplements come in many forms: citrate, chelate, picolinate, gluconate, and aspartate. Oral zin
c sulfate is available but may cause stomach upset. My sons zinc supplement form is a combination of cit
rate and chelate. He swallows capsules but zinc supplements come in liquid form for those who dont.
Zinc supplements are key in my sons biomedical treatment regimen. Gastrointestinal disorders may cause
zinc deficiency, often with loss of nutrients due to diarrhea. Malabsorption and maldigestion that goes alo
ng with digestive enzyme weakness, food allergies and intolerance can cause kids on the spectrum to hav
e subnormal zinc blood levels. Zinc may also be displaced by copper in some tissues if copper uptake is e
xcessive. It also plays a very important role as an enzyme activator or stabilizer.
Since my sons zinc blood levels were low and he also suffered from malabsorption and maldigestion, zinc
supplements were necessary and important. His gastrointestinal functioning needed to improve or normal
ize, and required dietary intervention and regular use of digestive enzymes. Zinc also assists in healing the
gut, and my DAN! doctor told me our bodies do their best work of recovery and healing at night, during our
sleep. So my son takes his zinc supplement before bed, on an empty stomach with his probiotic. He has
not suffered any stomach upset from this regimen.
Often zinc is included in multivitamin and multimineral blends. But we found supplementing it separately w
orked best for our son. According to DAN! protocol, it should be given away from meals or in the evening,
several hours after dinner. The reason for this is supplemental zinc may slow the digestive action of dipept
idylpepitdase 4 (DPP4). If youre not familiar with DPP4 is a digestive enzyme, peptidase that breaks down
the peptides formed during protein digestion. It is recommended to not give zinc at the same time with cal
cium, iron or folate since they compete for absorption.
Another interesting benefit from proper zinc levels due to supplementation, is that parents report zinc suppl
ements help their child with autism accept new foods in their diet. Its also been reported that it helps with t
he chewies or mouthing of objects, or hands in the mouth. One reason for this is zinc is in the saliva prot
ein gustin, which has a major role in the sensation of taste.
Zinc is a critically important nutrient for cognitive function because it protects neurotransmitters. That is wh
y you may have heard the adage No zinc, no think. Therefore, zinc supplementation may improve cognit
ion in children with ADHD and lessen hyperactivity and impulsivity. Just like children with autism, ADHD ki
ds may be deficient in zinc.
Oral zinc supplements come in many forms: citrate, chelate, picolinate, gluconate, and aspartate. Oral zin
c sulfate is available but may cause stomach upset. My sons zinc supplement form is a combination of cit
rate and chelate. He swallows capsules but zinc supplements come in liquid form for those who dont.