Monday, April 04, 2005

Zinc linked to quick thinking

We all are interested in how we can be sharper and think more quickly on our feet. It turns out that scientists have looked at 7th grade students to see how they are doing. The researchers conducted the first test in adolescents to see how zinc is linked to several things - motor skills, coordination, and cognitive function. On the mental performance side it looks like the students showed improvement by responding more quickly and accurately on memory tasks and with longer attentions spans than those who did not take the zinc supplements. The 7th-graders were given 20 mg of zinc five days each week for 10 to 12 weeks. Dr. James Penland studied adolescents because they grow quickly and sometimes have poor eating habits. Ultimately experts will decide whether or not this age group dietary guidelines for zinc should be adjusted.

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