Zinc status was found to be low in approximately half of 24 patients with
anorexia nervosa, probably due to low zinc intake, purging and vomiting. Since
reduced food consumption is a major manifestation of zinc deficiency, this
acquired deficiency could add to and prolong the anorexic behaviour. Humphries
L et al: Zinc deficiency and eating disorders. J Clin Psychiatry 50(12):456-9,
1989.
Zinc deficiency is common in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and may
act as a sustaining factor for abnormal eating behaviour. McClain CJ et al:
Zinc status before and after zinc supplementation of eating disorder patients.
J Am Coll Nutr 11(6):694-700, 1992.
Zinc levels were found to be very low in anorexia nervosa sufferers. Zinc
supplementation resulted in a decrease in depression and anxiety.
Katz RL et al: Zinc deficiency in anorexia nervosa. J Adolesc Health Care
8(5):400-6, 1987.
Food intake rose significantly in mildly zinc-deficient children supplemented
with zinc for one year. Krebs NF et al: Increased food intake of young children
receiving a zinc supplement. Am J Dis Child 138(3):270-3, 1984.
In a study using zinc supplementation on 20 women with anorexia nervosa, over
8-56 months follow-up no patients suffered any further weight loss and 17
increased their body weight by 15-24%. No patients developed bulimia.
Safai-Kutti S: Oral zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa. Acta Psychiatr
Scand Suppl 361:14-17, 1990.
