Zinc is an essential trace element for humans. It is vital for many biological functions and plays a crucial role in more than 300 enzymes in the human body. Research shows that patients with autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia lack zinc. In each of the studies below, researchers found a lack of this essential element.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4008000
In the following study the researchers concluded that patients with multiple sclerosis also have low levels of zinc: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1083158/
In the following study the researcher stated that zinc deficiency has been found in patients with lupus, scleroderma, psoriasis, and diabetes:
http://www.traceelements.com/…/The%20Nutritional…
The following study confirms that patients with CFS have significantly lower levels of zinc:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16338007
In the following study the researchers found that patients with fibromyalgia (FM) also have significantly lower levels of zinc:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18496697
Patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia lack the essential amino acid histidine, which is needed to transport zinc. Essential amino acids such as histidine are found in high protein foods and patients with CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease lack the enzymes required to digest proteins – protease and DNase 1.
As the following study states, zinc utilizes an amino acid carrier system and is transported as a zinc-histidine complex:
Effects of amino acids on zinc transport in rat erythrocytes.
Aiken SP, et. al. 1992. J Physiol. 445: 69–80.
“zinc is being transported as a zinc-histidine complex, utilizing an amino acid carrier system…”
The following study confirms that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have significantly decreased levels of histidine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC301869/
In the following study the researchers found that histidine was also significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556707
In the following study the researchers concluded that histidine and all of the other essential amino acids were significantly lacking in patients with lupus:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0037210
In the following study the researchers found that patients with psoriasis had disturbed zinc distribution, which they stated may be due to disturbances of histidine:
Zinc distribution disorder in psoriasis.
Tsambaos D, Orfanos CE.Arch Dermatol Res. 1977 Jul 21;259(1):97-100
“…The disturbed distribution of zinc in psoriasis may be due to disturbances if histidine…”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/900997
In the following study the researchers found subnormal levels of histidine in patients with MS. Notice the study authors also make the connection to the lack of histidine and a deficiency in pancreatic enzyme secretion. Protease and DNase 1, the enzymes that digest proteins, originate in the pancreas:
Transdermal histamine in multiple sclerosis, part two: A proposed theoretical basis for its use.
Gillson G, et. al. 2000. Altern Med Rev. 5(3):224-248.
“…an association was found between impaired gastric acid production, impaired protein hydrolysis, and subnormal plasma histidine levels in patients with MS. Impaired digestion might, therefore, impair the ability of MS patients to synthesize histamine…Various mechanisms of action are suggested, including pancreatic enzyme secretion…”
Although zinc is essential for a healthy body, zinc, like iron, is a heavy metal ion and must be carefully controlled. Heavy metal ions are toxic to cells. Our bodies take great care to make sure metals go only where they need to and in exactly the right amount.
Scientists have discovered that metals, such as zinc, have special “chaperone” proteins that safely escort the metal through the interior of the cell and deliver it to the specific site where it is needed. Zinc also has binding proteins (ZntR and Zur)) to prevent it from accumulating within the cell and poisoning the cell. The essential amino acid histidine, which is lacking in patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia is an essential component of zinc binding proteins.
According to Thomas O’Halloran, professor of chemistry at Northwestern University: “The zinc regulatory system is so sensitive and finely tuned-at the femtomolar level-that the metal ions have no chance to float freely in the cell’s cytoplasm before they are bound up in ZntR or Zur. Free floating zinc just doesn’t exist” (Northwestern University, 2001).
In the following study the researchers stated that although zinc is an essential trace element, excess zinc can cause neuronal death. In addition, the researchers concluded that histidine was protective against zinc-induced neurotoxicity:
D-Histidine and L-histidine attenuate zinc-induced neuronal death in GT1-7 cells.
Kawahara M, et. al.2013. Metallomics. 5, 453-460
“Although zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element, excess Zn causes neuronal death and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of vascular-type dementia…histidine protects against Zn-induced neurotoxicity…”
Autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia are not solely attributed to deficiencies; they also involve metabolic dysfunction. This means that the body has challenges in effectively breaking down nutrients and delivering them where they are needed. As a result, addressing the root causes of these conditions goes beyond simply supplementing with zinc and histidine to correct deficiencies. We know that patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia already lack one of the essential components necessary to prevent zinc toxicity (histidine), but science doesn’t fully understand the complexities involved in how the body protects itself from zinc, while at the same time benefitting from it, so taking isolated zinc in supplement form could actually prove harmful.
To ensure that zinc levels are replenished safely, it’s important to work with the body’s natural processes. We start by healing our digestive system and restoring the enzymes needed for digesting dietary proteins, such as protease and DNase 1. These enzymes can be found in foods like organic raw fermented sauerkraut. The final section of our books “Autoimmune: The Cause and The Cure” and “Fibromyalgia: The Cause and The Cure” focuses entirely on this approach.