Zinc helps with anxiety and mood support
6.0Moderate
evidence
evidence
The Claim
There is a widespread belief that zinc can alleviate anxiety and improve mood, with some individuals relying on it as a natural remedy for stress relief.
Origin
This misconception is often linked to early observational studies that suggested a correlation between zinc deficiency and mood disorders.
What Science Says
Research indicates that zinc plays a role in brain health and may influence mood, especially in individuals with deficiency. A systematic review found that zinc supplementation may have a small beneficial effect on mood in those who are deficient, but the evidence is not strong enough to recommend it as a primary treatment for anxiety or depression.
Verdict
Mostly True
Sources
- PMID:35311615 Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce.
- PMID:36194365 Psychobehavioural and Cognitive Adverse Events of Anti-Seizure Medications for the Treatment of Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies.
- PMID:28178022 The impact of essential fatty acid, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc supplementation on stress levels in women: a systematic review.