Aus: PsychoPraktika Nr. 8/2003 Zinc deficiency - an avoidable reason for suicidal thoughts   Czech Danish Deutsch Dutch English Finish French Hungarian Italian Polish Portoguese Spanish Turkish
Startseite Kontakt	Zinc deficiency - an avoidable reason for suicidal thoughts   According to published reports and the observations of the author, a zinc deficiency can promote the incidence and intensity of suicidal thoughts. Irrespective of the cause of such thoughts it is often beneficial to increase zinc intake (with suitable foodstuffs or substitution) to instigate a trend to help the affected solve their problems. First signs of such a zinc deficiency are a reduced immune status (increased occurrence of colds), white spots in the fingernails, persistent dark rings under the eyes, sleeping problems or a poor skin and hair quality. The following people belong to the group at risk: people who eat little or no meat, pregnant or breast-feeding women, patients who have had an anaesthetic, computer users or those suffering from stress. In such a case it is important to speak to a doctor or chemist about following a course of treatment with zinc. This should be of about 2-3 month duration with a daily intake of 10-20 mg. Ideal foods for this purpose are beef, innards or oysters. Cravings in this direction (as also for chocolate, marzipan, almonds or nuts) are a possible sign for an increased demand. Apart from zinc, these complaints could also be due to a possible deficiency in B-group vitamins, iodine, magnesium or lithium. You can find a free zinc deficiency risk test (in German and English) under www.zinc-deficiency-risk-test.de   Author: Werner Winkler, Membergstr. 10, D-70734 Fellbach, Germany. Translation: Christine Holzhausen, Garching. Correspondence (in German or English): wewinkler@t-online.de Reproduction permitted if one copy is ordered.