Alternative Health Blog

Zinc Supplementation May Exert Anti-Depressive Effects

By Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D., Community Insider -- Published: August 17, 2011

In this review, the authors examined results from all published, randomized, controlled trials investigating the efficacy of zinc supplementation in reducing or preventing depressive symptoms, and after reviewing results from 4 studies that met their inclusion criteria, the authors found that as an adjunct to anti-depressant drug treatment, zinc supplementation was found to significantly reduce depressive symptom scores. Less clear, but evidence also points to the benefits of zinc as a stand-alone intervention. The authors state, "However, there are methodological limitations in existing studies and so further well-designed, adequately powered research is required."

Reference:

"The efficacy of zinc supplementation in depression: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials," Lai J, Moxey A, et al, J Affect Disord, 2011 July 26; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Centre of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia).

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