Zinc Found to Improve Mood in Women

by | May 6, 2010 | 2010, Depression, Minerals, Zinc

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Study results suggest Zn supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression. 

A new study(1) has found that zinc may help mental health, especially anger and overall mood, in women.  Previous studies have shown depression and impaired cognitive function to be early signs of human Zinc deficiency (2). Building upon these findings, 30 women with an average age of 19 were given either a multivitamin or a multivitamin and 7 mg of zinc from zincgluconate per day for 10 weeks.  The multi-vitamin supplement contained vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin and folic acid in amounts that were 50% of the Japanese Recommended Dietary Allowances for women of this age group.  The patients then completed psychological tests that included the Cornell Medical Index (3) and The Profile of Moods State (4), which were used to evaluate somatic symptoms, and mood and feelings, including anxiety, sensitivity, anger and tension.

While those in the zinc group had slightly more improved scores for depression and dejection (23% decrease (19.6 to 15.1) in the zinc group vs. 18% (20.3 to 16.7) (p = .009) in the multivitamin-only group), those in the zinc group “showed a significant reduction” in anger-hostility scores.  Specifically, those in the zinc group had a 28% decrease (11.7 to 8.4) compared to 13% in the multivitamin-only group (14.3 to 12.5) (p = 0.012).  What’s more, those in the zinc group had “a significant increase” in blood levels of zinc (9% increase (0.84 to 0.92 micrograms/milliliter) vs. 3% increase (0.87 to 0.89 micrograms/mL) in the multivitamin-only group).

For the researchers, “Our results suggest that Zn supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression.”  Because of the small size of the test group, further research is desirable.

Source: Sawada, T., and K. Yokoi. “Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study.” European journal of clinical nutrition 64.3 (2010): 331.

© 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited

Posted May 6, 2010.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Danville, CA.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

Reference:

  1. Sawada T.  Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study.  European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 331–333; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.158.
  2. Sands tead HH, Frederickso n C J, Penland JG (2000). H istor y of zinc a s related to brain function. J N utr 130 , 496S–5 02S.
  3. “Cornell Medical Index” – Weill Cornell Medical College website.
  4. “Profile of Moods State” – Multi-Health Systems website.