Researchers are continuing to investigate whether zinc therapy is an effective supplemental treatment for anorexia nervosa.
A 2006 study (Birmingham and Gritzner) reports that low zinc levels create dynamics in the brain that are similar to those seen with anorexia nervosa. The study found that giving zinc to a group of persons with anorexia produced a significant improvement in body mass index compared to a group of anorexic persons not receiving zinc. Birmingham and Gritzner suggest that zinc deficiencies make neurotransmitters less effective. When this problem is corrected with zinc therapy in those with anorexia, they conclude, the resulting improvement in brain functioning creates an improvement in anorexia symptoms.
Given that those with anorexia take in very little of nutritional value, it is not surprising that most would be deficient in zinc. What is interesting is that such an inexpensive and widely-available mineral shows promise, by itself, in establishing better brain functioning in this group.
It's important to check with your doctor before beginning a course of zinc therapy, however, because too much zinc can result in other problems in brain functioning (Flinn et al., 2005). Medical assistance will help regulate zinc at the proper level for you.
Sources
Birmingham, C. L., and S. Gritzner. 2006. "How Does Zinc Supplementation Benefit Anorexia Nervosa?" Eating and Weight Disorders 11 (4): e109-11.
Flinn, J. M., D. Hunter, D. H. Linkous, A. Lanzirotti, L. N. Smith, J. Brightwell, and B. F. Jones. 2005. "Enhanced Zinc Consumption Causes Memory Deficits and Increased Brain Levels of Zinc." Physiology and Behavior 83 (5): 793-803.
