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 Residents Another study at the University of Tromso collaborates the findings that low zinc levels lead to depression and can contribute to many psychiatric conditions. Their testing of 100 patients showed that "Zinc deficiency is quite common among psychogeriatric patients and appears to be even more prominent in patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders than depression."

In 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 Disorders

Other Zinc Health Benefits

Besides mental health, zinc has also shown to:
  1. increase immunity
  2. act as an anti-oxidant
  3. balance hormones
  4. treat against diabetes
  5. maintain heart health
  6. prevent diarrhea
  7. increase fertility
  8. aid in nutrient absorption
  9. support liver health
  10. increase muscle growth and repair
The recommended daily intake of elemental zinc for men is 11 mg/day and for women 8-9 mg/day, which equates to roughly 25 mg in high-quality supplemental form. Go Dark contains 25 mg of zinc picolinate (the best form of zinc!) per 2 capsule dose and make an easy way to ensure you're getting plenty of daily zinc. Plus it helps you relax and sleep which is also critical for good health - both mental and physical! Here's an article you also may find interesting: Beauty Sleep is the Real Deal
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