The following dissertation by Roxanne Eastland provides evidence of zinc deficiency in patients with Down's syndrome.

Note: A research project is needed to investigate zinc deficiency. The average adult daily intake of zinc from the diet is 10 mg. Evidence suggests this dietary intake will always be inadequate for patients who are at risk, like those who have Down's syndrome.

Zinc deficiency can result in many health problems and we believe it may be the root cause for the universal brain injury we see in Down's syndrome from a very early age. Medical research is needed to find the best treatment therapy. 25 mg per day of zinc may be needed to prevent zinc deficiency in young people and adults with Down's syndrome. Even higher doses (up to 60 mg per day) has been suggested for adults with DS. Babies and young children would get a much smaller dose rate based on body weight.

Latest evidence  indicates zinc deficiency is a potential cause of a destructive pro-oxidative process that results in brain injury in the patients. Click here to read an important article on this subject.

We cannot offer medical advice to parents, you must discuss these issues with your doctor or paediatrician.

By Roxanne Eastland

Copyright 2001 
The Down's Syndrome Research Foundation Ltd 

Introduction

1.0 ...	Down’s syndrome: a brief history
1.1 ...	What is Down’s syndrome?
1.2 ...	Restrictions on applying research findings
1.3 ...	Nutritional intervention
1.4 ...	Zinc and its links with Down’s syndrome

Are Down’s Syndrome Subjects Zinc Deficient?

2.0 ......	Measuring zinc status
2.0.1 ...	Plasma levels
2.0.2 ...	Erythrocytes values
2.0.3 ...	Muscle concentration
2.0.4 ...	Hair mineral analysis
2.1 ......	Zinc status in Down’s syndrome

Importance of the Thyroid

3.0 ...	Function of the thyroid and thyroid hormones
3.1 ...	Thyroid dysfunction in Down’s syndrome
3.2 ...	How could thyroid dysfunction be associated with the pathology of Down’s syndrome?
3.3 ...	What role does zinc play?
3.4 ...	What effect does zinc supplementation have on thyroid function?

Immunodeficiency - The Thymus

4.0 ...	The significance of the thymus
4.1 ...	The importance of functional assays
4.2 ...	Does zinc improve the functioning of the immune system in Down’s syndrome?
4.3 ...	Dosage Levels

Immunodeficiency - Leukocyte Function

Maturation of Blood Cells

6.0 ...	Inefficient cell maturation
6.1 ...	Inappropriate apoptosis
6.2 ...	Meanings of these results

DNA Repair

Growth Delay

8.0 ...

The effect of zinc supplementation

Gene over-expression as a drain on zinc

9.0 ...	Extra SOD-1 gene
9.0.1 ...	The function of SOD-1
9.0.2 ...	Zinc as an antioxidant
9.0.3 ...	Not all DS subjects express excess SOD-1
9.0.4 ...	Over-expression of other proteins
9.1 ...	The possibility of malabsorption
9.2 ...	Transportation
9.3 ...	Food choices

Conclusion

Bibliography