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Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 64, pages 331–333 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

The relation of zinc (Zn) nutriture to brain development and function has been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to examine whether Zn supplementation improves mood states in young women. The study used a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled procedure. The major outcomes were psychological measures, somatic symptoms and serum Zn. Thirty women were placed randomly and in equal numbers into two groups, and they ingested one capsule containing multivitamins (MVs) or MV and 7 mg Zn daily for 10 weeks. Women who took MV and Zn showed a significant reduction in anger–hostility score (P=0.009) and depression–dejection score (P=0.011) in the Profile of Moods State (POMS) and a significant increase in serum Zn concentration (P=0.008), whereas women who took only MV did not. Our results suggest that Zn supplementation may be effective in reducing anger and depression.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Japan Society Sasakawa Science Foundation (2006) and the Ito Foundation (2006–2007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Nutrition, Morioka Daigaku Junior College, Iwate, Japan

    T Sawada

  2. Department of Human Nutrition, Seitoku University Graduate School, Chiba, Japan

    K Yokoi

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  1. T Sawada
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  2. K Yokoi
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Correspondence to K Yokoi.

Additional information

Contributors: TS designed and conducted the study, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. KY supervised the entire study, and advised on the design and data analysis. The final approval of the manuscript was done by all authors.

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Sawada, T., Yokoi, K. Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr 64, 331–333 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.158

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