Can Zinc Deficiency cause depression?
A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that zinc “supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression”.
This study by T Sawada, K Yokoi, provided 30 women with a daily multivitamin. During the ten weeks, half the women received a multivitamin only while the other half received the multivitamins plus Zinc. It’s no surprise that Zinc supplementation resulted in increased zinc serum levels for those individuals that supplemented with 7mg of Zinc per day. It is noteworthy though that the group of 15 women that supplemented with Zinc did show significantly lower scores on anger-hostility assessments as well as lower scores on depression evaluations.
Another study at the Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University found that there is a link between Zinc absorption and Vitamin A and D levels. Inadqeuate intake of those two vitamins can negatively affect Zinc absorption and result in a secondary deficiency of Zinc. It might therefore be beneficial to find a supplement that provides Vitamin A and D in addition to Zinc.
In summary, if you are suffering from some sort of depression you might want to evaluate your zinc serum levels and add a Zinc supplement to your diet for mood benefits. Doing so with a supplement such as MoodBoost Drink that also provides Vitamin A and D3 (Cholecalciferol) could further enhance Zinc absorption and provide additional mood enhancing benefits.
Research Studies:
T Sawada, K Yokoi. “Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study.” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 64, 331-333, 20 January 2010; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.158.