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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by guineapigjoe on January 25, 2009, at 10:50:48
I have a zinc deficiency,I have read in other places that if you have this your body cant synthesize gla from the omega 6 in your diet.Is there truth to this?I am asking because since I was young I have been hyper and had trouble focusing.I was never diagnosed with adhd or anything but have clear memories of my parents talking about getting me tested as my grades were terrible,this carried on through high school.Could an undiagnosed zinc deficiency lead to a gla deficiency?
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 25, 2009, at 19:25:03
In reply to zinc deficiency and gla, posted by guineapigjoe on January 25, 2009, at 10:50:48
Yes, the enzyme that converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid requires zinc to function properly. However, I don't know of any link between GLA deficiency and ADHD. Instead, some improvement has been noted with long-chain omega-3 supps and symptoms of ADHD.
In any case, it's very easy to remedy both zinc deficiency and GLA deficiency. The latter fatty acid is found in good concentration in borage oil.
Often, zinc deficiency causes skin problems and decreased taste and smell. It can also lead to chronic prostate problems. It's essential for a number of enzymes and speciallized proteins.
Lar
Posted by guineapigjoe on January 25, 2009, at 19:40:58
In reply to Re: zinc deficiency and gla » guineapigjoe, posted by Larry Hoover on January 25, 2009, at 19:25:03
> Yes, the enzyme that converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid requires zinc to function properly. However, I don't know of any link between GLA deficiency and ADHD. Instead, some improvement has been noted with long-chain omega-3 supps and symptoms of ADHD.
>
> In any case, it's very easy to remedy both zinc deficiency and GLA deficiency. The latter fatty acid is found in good concentration in borage oil.
>
> Often, zinc deficiency causes skin problems and decreased taste and smell. It can also lead to chronic prostate problems. It's essential for a number of enzymes and speciallized proteins.
>
> LarI read some studies that were done and zinc gla and dha were used for adhd I believe,I made the connection as It has been said that many adhd people have zinc deficiency as well.So i was taking it as the more deficient you got in zinc,the worse the gla d efficiency got,i have read that a fair percentage of children with adhd will grow up and have antisocial personality disorder,it seems to me that a lot of bad can come out of not correcting these deficiency.Thanks for your response,I am currently taking around 2 grams of gla a day and a good multivitamin with the zinc(foodbased vitamin)I am much calmer even in the last week since starting this.Do you think I should eat more carbs while doing this as A high protein diet would cause me to start burning up fat stores?As I am taking the gla liquid wouldnt i be wasting it quickly if I got most of my energy from protein?Also do you think I should avoid dha temporarily so as to correct the gla first?
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 26, 2009, at 16:31:45
In reply to Re: zinc deficiency and gla, posted by guineapigjoe on January 25, 2009, at 19:40:58
Although some small amount of the polyunsaturated fats we consume goes to energy production, by and large they are too valuable to get destroyed. I wouldn't make any change in diet in order to prevent metabolizing them. I don't think it would work if you tried.
I can find evidence for zinc helping with attention problems, but not GLA. I can find evidence for benefits from the long-chain omega-3s. But it doesn't matter what the evidence is; if you're feeling better that's evidence enought for me.
GLA is an anti-inflammatory omega-6, but if and only if it gets blocked from delta-5 desaturase after elongation to DGLA (dihomogamma-linolenic acid....don't you love these names?). The best way to block DGLA from d-5-d is with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. They have higher affinity for the enzyme. If you don't block it, then a goodly bit of the DGLA goes on to become arachidonic acid (AA), which is already far too high in our diets, and strongly pro-inflammatory.
So, in summary, the simplest course of action is also the best. Continue with your supplements.
BTW, what is your total zinc intake/day?
Lar
Posted by guineapigjoe on January 26, 2009, at 16:52:06
In reply to Re: zinc deficiency and gla » guineapigjoe, posted by Larry Hoover on January 26, 2009, at 16:31:45
> Although some small amount of the polyunsaturated fats we consume goes to energy production, by and large they are too valuable to get destroyed. I wouldn't make any change in diet in order to prevent metabolizing them. I don't think it would work if you tried.
>
> I can find evidence for zinc helping with attention problems, but not GLA. I can find evidence for benefits from the long-chain omega-3s. But it doesn't matter what the evidence is; if you're feeling better that's evidence enought for me.
>
> GLA is an anti-inflammatory omega-6, but if and only if it gets blocked from delta-5 desaturase after elongation to DGLA (dihomogamma-linolenic acid....don't you love these names?). The best way to block DGLA from d-5-d is with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. They have higher affinity for the enzyme. If you don't block it, then a goodly bit of the DGLA goes on to become arachidonic acid (AA), which is already far too high in our diets, and strongly pro-inflammatory.
>
> So, in summary, the simplest course of action is also the best. Continue with your supplements.
>
> BTW, what is your total zinc intake/day?
>
> LarI take a multi that has 15 mg,Also I am taking 50 mg in the form of ionic zinc(from trace minerals research)is this to much?I must say I am taking that much as I have read that when you have a zinc deficiency you end up with copper toxicity?Do you think this is a possibility here?It is said that there is copper in many foods, also in our pipes for drinking water,Maybe I should start from the beginning on how i believe i got this deficiency,my theory anyway and you tell me what you think ok?
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