Update in Under 30 – Getting Zinc Right in Depression (≤30 min audio)

Description

Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient with diverse biological roles in cell growth, apoptosis and metabolism, and in the regulation of endocrine, immune, and neuronal functions implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the clinical data comparing peripheral blood zinc concentrations between depressed and nondepressed subjects.

Results: Seventeen studies, measuring peripheral blood zinc concentrations in 1643 depressed and 804 control subjects, were included.

Conclusions: Depression is associated with a lower concentration of zinc in peripheral blood. The pathophysiological relationships between zinc status and depression, and the potential benefits of zinc supplementation in depressed patients, warrant further investigation.

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