Can Ehler's Danlos Syndrome be Caused by Not Having Enough Zinc?
Introduction
Have you ever heard of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? If not, you are not alone. This rare genetic problem affects the body's connective tissues. It can cause many different symptoms, including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome symptoms. These range from very stretchy skin to joints that bend more than normal. EDS can make everyday life difficult for those who have it. Physical therapy can help improve strength and function for those affected. The surprising part is that many people with EDS don’t even realize they have it! This is why it is important to spread the word about this condition. In this blog post, we will explore what EDS is, its types, and some interesting facts about zinc and how it might help.
Types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (EDS) has 13 types of EDS, and each type has different traits and genetic reasons. The most common one is Hypermobile EDS (hEDS). People with hEDS can bend their joints more than usual and often feel chronic pain, but the specific genetic cause is still unclear. Family history can play a role in understanding the condition. Classical EDS (cEDS) is known for skin that is very stretchy and thin. It usually happens because of changes in the COL5A1 or COL5A2 genes. Vascular EDS (vEDS) is less common but can be very dangerous. It can cause problems like arteries and organs to burst because of changes in the COL3A1 gene. Kyphoscoliotic EDS (kEDS) causes serious muscle weakness and curved bones as you grow. This mainly happens due to changes in the PLOD1 or FKBP14 genes. Arthrochalasia EDS (aEDS) can make joints very flexible and cause hip problems from birth because of mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes.
Other rare types include Dermatosparaxis EDS (dEDS). This causes loose skin because of changes in the ADAMTS2 gene. There is also Cardiac-valvular EDS (cvEDS), which is known as an autosomal recessive disorder that affects the heart valves when there are rare changes in the COL1A2 gene. Spondylodysplastic EDS (spEDS) makes people shorter with weaker muscles. This is due to changes in genes like B4GALT7 or B3GALT6. Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS) harms the eyes a lot. Myopathic EDS (mEDS) brings muscle weakness and stiff joints, characterized by mild, minor criteria that may include mutations in genes like ZNF469 or COL12A1. Periodontal EDS (pEDS) leads to serious gum disease. Classical-like EDS (clEDS) shows signs like classical EDS but without some scar issues, caused by changes in TNXB. Musculocontractural EDS (mcEDS) comes with tough skin conditions at birth and problems in organs due to mutations in the CHST14 or DSE genes. Each type of EDS is different, and understanding these differences, including that cvEDS is an autosomal recessive disorder, can greatly help in caring for someone with EDS.
Common Symptoms of Ehler's Danlos Syndrome
People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) usually have symptoms such as:
Hypermobile Joints:
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Their joints can move more than normal. This can lead to frequent dislocations or sprains.
Skin Elasticity:
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Their skin is often soft, stretchy, or easily bruised.
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Wounds might heal slowly or not well, leaving scars that you can see.
Chronic Pain:
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Many people feel joint pain, muscle pain, and tiredness. This is especially true for those who have the hypermobile type.
Vascular Issues (in some types):
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Some have weak blood vessels. This can cause serious problems like aneurysms or ruptures, especially in vascular EDS.
Other Possible Symptoms:
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Digestive problems, like bowel syndrome, can happen.
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Issues with the autonomic nervous system, such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
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They might also have problems with their teeth or gums.
To find out if you have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), doctors check your symptoms and discuss your medical history. They also ask about your family's health and might recommend genetic counseling. Depending on the kind of EDS, they may do genetic tests, too.
Causes of Ehler's Danlos Syndrome
Ehler's Danlos Syndrome often runs in families and can be passed down in several ways, based on the type, including the inheritance of EDS, such as autosomal dominant inheritance. Some types have a gene change that shows in genetic tests. But for hypermobile EDS (hEDS), there is no clear genetic marker right now. Also, some studies say that having low zinc is common in people with EDS.
This might be due to a gene on chromosome 11 called SLC39A13. This gene creates a protein named ZIP13. It needs zinc to help move zinc into our cells. If both copies of this gene are changed, it can lead to a rare kind of EDS called Spondylodysplastic EDS (SCD-EDS). This can cause symptoms like loose joints, shorter height, short stature, bone problems, slow tooth growth, and weak muscles. These symptoms are like those found in other forms of EDS.
The Importance of Zinc in EDS
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of conditions that affect how our body's tissues work. The most common type of EDS is the classical type, which can be passed down through families in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means if one parent has it, their child has a 50% chance of getting it too. But there's also a rarer form that follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, where both parents need to carry the gene for their child to be affected. Scientists like Pepin M and Demirdas S have studied how EDS impacts people. They've found that even when zinc levels in the blood look normal, the body might not use it right inside the cells. This messes up how certain proteins called SMADs move around, which then causes problems with making collagen. Collagen is super important for keeping our tissues healthy, and when there's not enough of it, it can lead to symptoms like elastic skin and severe joint hypermobility that we see in EDS patients.
Zinc can help with EDS in a few ways:
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Collagen Formation: Zinc helps enzymes like lysyl oxidase. This enzyme connects collagen and elastin. This connection gives strength and flexibility to connective tissues.
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Wound Healing: Zinc helps with cell growth and tissue repair. It also supports immune function, which can be affected in people with EDS.
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Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): Zinc is a key part of MMPs. These enzymes help reshape the tissue around cells. If MMPs are not balanced, possibly because of zinc levels, it can weaken connective tissue.
It is very important to ensure that people with EDS get enough zinc.
Testing for Zinc Deficiency
The best way to check for low zinc is by doing a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). You can get this test done with us. HTMA shows how much zinc is in your tissues. This gives you a clearer picture than a blood test, which only measures zinc in your blood.
If you want to start using zinc supplements, look at our Upgraded Zinc!
Conclusion
Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of rare diseases that affect connective tissues in the body. It's known for symptoms like joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and easy bruising. The most common type is hypermobile EDS, which can cause symptomatic joint hypermobility and similar symptoms to joint hypermobility syndrome. Genetic testing can help identify some types of EDS, which may be inherited through autosomal dominant or recessive patterns. Some people might have a de novo genetic mutation. EDS can affect various parts of the body, potentially causing issues like mitral valve prolapse or fragile blood vessels. The prevalence of EDS isn't fully known, but it's considered rare, and zinc can be part of the missing picture for healing.