ANOREXIA

ZINC

1. Daily doses of zinc (4.2 mg/day) for 1 year improved intake of energy, protein and nutrients increased in the children with zinc deficiency. Zinc supplementation may reduce risk of anorexia.

Am J Dis Child. 1984 Mar;138(3):270-3. 
Increased food intake of young children receiving a zinc supplement.
Krebs NF, Hambidge KM, Walravens PA.
PMID: 6702773

2. Daily supplementation with zinc (75 mg/day) may be a “sustaining factor” in patients with anorexia or bulimia.

J Am Coll Nutr. 1992 Dec;11(6):694-700. 
Zinc status before and after zinc supplementation of eating disorder patients.
McClain CJ, Stuart MA, Vivian B, McClain M, Talwalker R, Snelling L, Humphries L.
PMID: 1460184

3. Of 20 females with anorexia nervosa receiving 45 – 90 mg/day zinc supplement, 17 patients had an increase in body weight of more than 15%. No patients lost weight and menstruation returned in 13 patients.

Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1990;361:14-7. 
Oral zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa.
Safai-Kutti S.
PMID: 2291418

4. Daily supplementation of zinc (50 mg/day) resulted in a measured decrease in anxiety and depression in anorexic adolescents that were zinc deficient. This study suggests zinc supplementation for anorexia nervosa.

J Adolesc Health Care. 1987 Sep;8(5):400-6. 
Zinc deficiency in anorexia nervosa.
Katz RL, Keen CL, Litt IF, Hurley LS, Kellams-Harrison KM, Glader LJ.
PMID: 3312133