Zinc:
Zinc a powerful
antioxidant and supporter of
immune function has been shown to
have a positive effect in those
with Downs Syndrome. One
study followed 22 children; 16
males and 6 females, who received
zinc sulphate over a period of 6
to 9 months. At the conclusion of
the study, 15 of the 22 children
had reached a higher level on
their growth chart. [8]
As discussed, those
with Down syndrome can have a host
of other health related
conditions, one being low thyroid
function. Downs Syndrome Adults
who supplemented with zinc sulphate
that had a low thyroid function
showed an improvement in both
hypothyroidism and subclinical
hypothyroidism. [9] In addition, frequent respiratory
infections are better managed and
may be resolved more quickly by
using zinc. Known to inhibit the
replication of certain common
viruses, zinc is useful adjunctive
treatment in people with recurrent
viral infections.
Essential Fatty Acids
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA
DHA and EPA are
long chain polyunsaturated fatty
acids derived from fish, other
marine animals, and microalgae. DHA
plays a critical role in
brain function and is thought to
contribute to proper structural, neurologic, and synaptic membrane
development. [10] DHA and EPA are incorporated into
the brain in large amounts
throughout the last part of
pregnancy and also in the first
months of life. [11]
In those with Downs Syndrome,
research shows an altered
composition of essential fatty
acids in the brain. [12] Because of these effects,
supplementation with essential
fatty acids may help with
cognitive function.
Glutathione
peroxidase is an enzyme in the
body involved with decreasing the
activity of free radicals. In
those with Downs Syndrome, there
is an increase in free radical
activity. EPA has been shown to
increase levels of Glutathione peroxidase, therefore decreasing
free radical damage, and
alleviating cellular stress. [13]
Antioxidants
In those with
Downs Syndrome, the
increased level of oxidative
stress warrants therapy that
prevents free radical damage. It
has been shown that in those with
Downs Syndrome, there is a higher
activity of superoxide dismutase,
an enzyme that could lead to
increased oxidative damage. [14]
Therefore, it would follow that
supplementation with antioxidants
would have a positive effect,
decreasing the overall oxidative
stress on the system.
Researchers
at Harvard Medical School examined
fetuses with Downs Syndrome
in comparison to those with normal
brain tissues. When grown in
cultures, the Downs Syndrome brain
cells had a 3 to 4 fold increase
in free radicals and died much
more quickly then the normal brain
cells. They repeated the culture,
but this time the Downs Syndrome
cells were pretreated with
different antioxidants. Some of
the
treatments were able to greatly
increase the number of sustainable
cells compared to those given no
antioxidant support. Among the
most effective antioxidants were vitamin E and
N-acetyl-cysteine. [15]
Vitamins A, C, E,
selenium, and zinc all have
powerful antioxidant effects that
have been shown, in many research
studies, to have a positive effect
on decreasing oxidative stress. Many reports also show that Downs
Syndrome individuals have low
serum antioxidant levels, and
that antioxidant supplementation would be
beneficial. [16,
17]
B12
and Folate/folic acid
B 12 is a
water-soluble vitamin needed for
proper cell division and cell
maturity, nerve cell conduction, and DNA replication. Studies
suggest that those with Downs
Syndrome have abnormal blood cells.
This suggests that there may be a deficiency in
both B12
and folic acid in these
individuals. Furthermore, it is
common for children to have
diminished gastrointestinal
function, which leads to decreased
absorption of nutrients and
vitamins.
More specifically, research
suggests that some with Downs
Syndrome can have a B12
deficiency. [18] Deficiency of folic acid and B12
in pregnant women is a
well-established cause of neural
tube defects in their children. [19]
There seems to be a relationship
with those at risk for neural tube
defects and Downs Syndrome. Mothers of babies with neural tube
defects (NTDs) have been found to
have problems metabolizing folic
acid, which may also be a risk
factor for Downs Syndrome as well.
In one study involving 493
families who had had a previous
pregnancy affected by NTD and
516 families who had had a
pregnancy affected by Down's
syndrome, there were five times
the number of children born with
Down syndrome among the neural
tube defect group as expected from
women of the same age. [20]
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-HTP is similar to
the amino acid L-tryptophan and
the neurotransmitter serotonin. In
the body, L-tryptophan converts to
5-HTP that is then transformed to
serotonin. The main role of 5-HTP
is to increase circulating levels
of serotonin in the central
nervous system. Serotonin plays
many roles in the body; some of
which are appetite modulation,
mood and behavior regulation, and
sleep pattern development. Some
studies show that in Downs
Syndrome children, there are
low levels of serotonin and that
the administration of 5-HTP improves
muscle tone and reduces tongue
protrusion (a common physical
characteristic in Downs
Syndrome). [21,
22]
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