I was amazed to discover that zinc deficiency affects almost 1 in 3 persons globally. Mood swings are the most common symptoms associated with this mineral deficiency.
Japanese researchers at Seitoku University and Daiguku Junior College tested the impact zinc supplementation could have on mood, 30 young women and placed them randomly into 2 different groups-to receive either multi-vitamins and zinc plus multivitamins for ten weeks. The study participants were given 7 milligrams of zinc gluconate.
The multivitamins were given to prevent other vitamin deficiencies. They provided half of the recommended dietary allowances of vitamins A, D, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid and niacin by the Japanese government.
Upon the study’s completion, only the women taking zinc gluconate demonstrated reductions in depression and anger. Their zinc blood levels also increased significantly.
Interestingly, animal studies have found that only zinc deficient female animals experienced increased aggression. This new research appears to support the anger reducing impact in women proceeding zinc supplementations noted the researchers, as well as the preceding research studies’ findings
“Our results suggest that zinc supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression,” they concluded.
This study was reported in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Although our findings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, they may prompt further investigations to evaluate the relationship between zinc nutrition and mood states, in women.
Source:
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
“Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study”