Zinc in Depression: A Meta-Analysis
Can zinc deficiency contribute to depression?
Depression is associated with significantly lower zinc concentrations in peripheral blood, with depressed individuals showing approximately 1.85 µmol/L lower zinc levels compared to healthy controls. A meta-analysis of 17 studies including 1,643 depressed subjects and 804 control subjects found that the zinc deficiency was more pronounced in patients with greater depression severity and in inpatient settings.
Zinc deficiency may contribute to depression through multiple pathways: impaired neurotransmitter synthesis and function (serotonin, dopamine, GABA), compromised immune function, increased inflammation, and disrupted neuroplasticity in brain regions involved in mood regulation.