Zinc PICOLINATE

Zinc is an essential trace element with an accepted RDA. It is used in the body in many places, with a wide variety of essential uses, including the regulation of hundreds of enzymatic pathways. It is included in Lithia Basic™ for just some of its important roles, described below.

The brain is rich in zinc, in fact it is found in its highest concentration in the human body in the brain. Research shows that zinc imbalances contribute to many symptoms involving brain function and cognition. Zinc controls electrical impulses in the brain and is a constituent of three quarters of the proteins that make up brain matter.

Zinc is critical for the regulation of communication between cells in the brain, as it is specifically concentrated in synaptic vesicles. In fact, memories are difficult to form in the absence of zinc, which is why zinc status is often assessed in those suffering from memory loss, such as in dementia.  This versatile mineral may well be essential to forming new memories. As a result, zinc is often added to many nootropic supplement lists, most products that address cognition and cognitive difficulties.

Related, zinc takes part in the control of moods, and has been found to be useful in symptoms of aggression and depression, by increasing BDNF. This in part may explain why zinc supplementation has been shown to enhance the efficacy of certain antidepressants.

Zinc has been shown in clinical trials, to control the occurrence of epilepsy, perhaps by regulating communication and impulses between neurons.

Zinc plays a complex role in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Zinc is being tested for its neuroprotective qualities in a variety of situations. One area of study is preconditioning. It appears that taking zinc before a brain injury allows the brain to be less impacted by traumatic events. Furthermore, it seems that long-term effects of preconditioned supplementation leads to fewer and less severe long term sequela of TBI. Additional research reports that taking zinc during or right after an injury lessens the impact of that particular brain injury. And lastly, taking zinc after a brain injury leads to less symptoms related to that incidence of trauma. Post stroke patients recovered better with zinc supplementation. This is relevant for athletes, veterans and many individuals as TBI is known is a serious risk factor for diminished cognitive abilities.

Zinc deficiency is implicated in a variety of neurological disorders. For example, in Parkinson’s disease (PD), some patients have been found to be zinc deficient, and in animal models that mimic PD, zinc supplementation diminishes similar symptoms. There is a known link between TBI and PD like symptoms, where TBI increases the likelihood of developing PD.

More recently, it has been found that zinc is a necessary element in cell division and migration. In the lab, when stem cells are deprived of zinc, ERK1/2 is downregulated. However, when zinc is added, stem cells differentiate into neurons, migrating more freely. In the presence of zinc, neurite outgrowths are commonly seen which eventually leads to synaptic growth. This may be the mechanism of action for helping lay down new memories and accessing older memories.

Related to the aging process, zinc acts as an antioxidant, limiting inflammatory cytokines, lowering free radical injury to cells, supporting DNA repair, and positively impacting methylation. Adequate zinc levels in the blood slow down the damaging processes. Of note, studies show that the longer an elderly person lives in an institution, the lower their plasma zinc levels become, which may contribute to cognitive decline.

Zinc deficiency is also associated with fatigue, low energy and mental confusion. These challenges occur from the oxidative stress through the lifespan, but they may also occur temporarily in certain circumstances. For example, as a side-effect of other therapies as during cancer treatment, data shows that zinc supplementation controls fatigue and helps maintained quality of life.

Zinc increases BDNF and is essential in assisting the brain to act more elastic, create and recall memories, new and old. Zinc deficiency is linked to attentional symptoms, such as those found in patients with ADHD.

References found here describe clinical trials using zinc in slowing down the aging process, modifying mood, and memory loss. Also being studied are the slowing down or reversal of cognitive changes that occur as we age and what role neurological and inflammatory changes play there, especially those caused by oxidative stress.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not meant to diagnose‚ treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor, or other qualified health care provider, before using any nutritional supplement discussed here, or before using these or any other product during pregnancy, lactation or if you have a serious medical condition.