Zinc Makes You Smile - Literally!

Zinc is a talented mineral. It's critical in the production of the collagen that keeps skin healthy and speeds wound healing. It cools low-grade chronic inflammation, a problem in many chronic diseases. It boosts the strength of the immune system. Now researchers have found it may even help relieve depression.

Researchers in Australia reviewed four studies on zinc and depression, and found that adding zinc to antidepressant medication can "significantly reduce depressive scores." And even when zinc was used alone without the meds it helped relieve depression, though the evidence wasn't as strong.

Why does zinc help depression? Nobody knows, though there may be a link between chronic inflammation and mood. But it opens our eyes to a whole new area to learn about.

Another natural remedy for depression is magnesium (200 to 600 mg). It can be more effective than Prozac! You can get 200 mg of magnesium and 15 mg of zinc by taking a good multivitamin powder.

Low zinc is the rule in CFS/FMS. It results when chronic infections cause zinc to be lost in urine. Low zinc will cause immune dysfunction. I recommend 20-25 mg a day for 3-6 months for everyone with CFS/FMS. Then the zinc in the vitamin powder is enough to maintain proper levels.

References

"The efficacy of zinc supplementation in depression: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials," NCBI Pubmed, July 26, 2011