July 27, 2015

Zinc is known to have significant effects on neurological and immune function. But for vegetarians and the elderly, zinc intake is often lower than the recommended daily allowance.

Physicians at a rehabilitation hospital in Italy looked at how zinc could impact victims of stroke.  They studied recovery from recent stroke among patients who were adequately nourished except for a zinc consumption of under 7 milligrams per day.

In the study, patients whose diet was supplemented with 10 milligrams of zinc per day showed superior recovery to those who were given placebo. The Italian researchers, writing in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience concluded: “The normalization of Zn2+ (zinc) intake in stroke patients with low mineral intake may enhance neurological recovery.” (Aquilani et al.)