title: Normalization of zinc intake enhances neurological retrieval of patients suffering from ischemic strokes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to investigate whether zinc (Zn2+) supplementation could contribute to neurological retrieval of patients suffering from strokes and low Zn2+ intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients with subacute stroke, having adequate daily energy (> or = 24 kcal/kg/day) and protein (> or = 0.8 g/kg/day) intake (EPI) and Zn2+ ingestion lower than two-thirds of the recommended allowance of 10 mg/day, were randomly allocated either to a control group (n = 13) or Zn2+ group (n = 13) where Zn2+ supplementation consisted of 10 mg Zn2+/day. Neurological gravity was tested with the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) at patient admission and after 30 days of protocol commencement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At day 30, the improvement in NIHSS was higher in the zinc group than in the placebo (-4.7 +/- 1.3 points versus -3.3 +/- 1.1 points; P < 0.02). NIHSS and Zn2+ intake were negatively correlated (r = -0.46; P < 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The normalization of Zn2+ intake in stroke patients with low mineral intake may enhance neurological recovery.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic Service and Nutritional Pathophysiology, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Montescano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aquilani
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baiardi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scocchi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iadarola
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sessarego
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boschi
authors.forename: Evasio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pasini
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pastoris
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viglio
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D015032:Zinc