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Low Zinc, Copper, and Manganese Intake is Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in the Japanese Working Population: Findings from the Eating Habit and Well-Being Study.
Nakamura, M, Miura, A, Nagahata, T, Shibata, Y, Okada, E, Ojima, T
Nutrients. 2019;11(4)
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Diet, as well as other lifestyle factors (sleep, exercise etc) are thought to play a significant role in the occurrence of mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. This study focused on the dietary intake of particular minerals (zinc, copper and manganese) and their effects on depression and anxiety of 2089 Japanese participants, each in full time employment. Reasons for the occurrence of mental disorders are considered multi-factorial, but insufficient mineral intake (particularly zinc) is believed to be a causal factor in the prevalence of depression and anxiety. Results of this cross-sectional study showed that low intake of zinc, copper and manganese was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. More specifically, the effect of both low zinc and low copper intake indicated a higher susceptibility towards depression with both low and high manganese status, suggesting low zinc and copper intake contributes to depression and anxiety symptoms regardless of manganese status. Researchers acknowledge that more investigation is needed.
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have suggested that there is an association between diet and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the intake of six minerals and mental disorders in a cross-sectional study. We used data from the Eating Habit and Well-being study in Japanese workers. Kessler's six-item psychological distress scale was used to detect mental disorders, with a cut-off score of 12/13, and a validated food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate dietary mineral intake. A total of 2089 participants with no history of depression were included. The prevalence of mental disorders was 6.9%. The lowest quartiles of zinc, copper, and manganese intakes were associated with mental disorders, whereas the lowest quartiles of calcium, magnesium, and iron intake were not associated with mental disorders. Combination analysis of high (≥median) or low (
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Zinc supplementation in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
Brazilian Association of Nutrology
Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992). 2013;59(4):321-4
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Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder characterised by significant weight loss, restrictive diets, a search for thinness and a distortion of body image. Zinc is a key micronutrient that plays essential roles in the body including in gene transcription regulation and enzyme reactions. There is a similarity between symptoms of zinc deficiency and AN; namely weight loss, changes in appetite and sexual dysfunction. This review aims to provide healthcare professionals with insight into the nutritional recommendations for zinc in patients with AN. The review suggests that there are clinical studies demonstrating a strong association between AN and low levels of serum zinc and low levels of urinary zinc suggesting a micronutrient deficiency in these individuals. The severity of zinc deficiency is associated with greater weight deficits and longer AN duration. It is also associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression in AN individuals. Zinc is key in smell and taste perception and the brain regions associated with interpreting eating as pleasurable. Reduced food intake and practices like purging and low-zinc diets may exacerbate any low levels and impair zinc absorption. A controlled study showed that oral supplementation resulted in a higher rate of body mass index (BMI) increase and an improvement in neurotransmitters. The review recommends: 1. Check serum levels of zinc in AN patients as it may be low. Zinc status may contribute to eating behaviour including gaining pleasure from eating, smell and taste. 2. Zinc supplementation of 15mg/daily for preventative purposes and 15-20mg/daily if zinc deficiency is identified after testing. The review recommends supplementation for a minimum of 2 months.