Low Zinc Linked to Dementia and Depression
Zinc and Mental Health
A study out of Poland suggests that low zinc levels in the elderly can lead to dementia and depression. Researchers evaluated 100 people aged 60-102. They came to this conclusion after administering a 10 minute questionnaire (the the Abbreviated Mental Test Score) and by determining their serum Zn concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrometry on Z-2000 instrument (Hitachi, Japan) with Zeeman background correction. "In the present study we detected lowered serum zinc concentrations in subjects with cognitive impairment and signs of depression, and found that the values of Abbreviated Mental Test Score and Geriatric Depression Scale score together explain 14% of the variation in concentration of serum zinc," the researchers wrote. Here's a link to the study itself: Serum Zinc Concentrations Correlate with Mental and Physical Status of Nursing Home ResidentsIn the control group 10-18 percent of the participants had less zinc in their blood than scientists regard as optimal. Among the group of psychiatric patients 37-47 percent of the participants had too little zinc in their blood.
After filtering out the effect of all sorts of other factors, the researchers saw that the zinc deficiency was associated above all with the patients who did not suffer from depression. Many of the people in this group suffered from psychoses.
Here's the link: Zinc Deficiency Is Common in Several Psychiatric DisordersOther Zinc Health Benefits
Besides mental health, zinc has also shown to:- increase immunity
- act as an anti-oxidant
- balance hormones
- treat against diabetes
- maintain heart health
- prevent diarrhea
- increase fertility
- aid in nutrient absorption
- support liver health
- increase muscle growth and repair