CNS and the peripheral nervous system. Animal studies show that stress can reduce BDNF expression and activity in the hippocampus, and clinical studies show lower serum levels to be lower in depressed patients, the report says. Augmentation strategies that can facilitate BDNF expression have been emerging as an area of interest among researchers, and zinc and magnesium have quickly made it to the top of the list.
Zinc is one of the most abundant trace minerals in the brain and supports several physiological functions. It activates the CNS and the peripheral nervous system. The bioavailability of zinc can influence CNS function through a variety of mechanisms, and diets scarce in zinc have been known to result in behavioral disturbances and diminished brain function. Researchers looked at 1,643 depressed patients and 804 control participants showed that peripheral zinc concentrations were lower for depressed patients. Studies found that pairing a zinc supplement with antidepressant therapy can be a more effective method of treating patients with major depression.
On the other hand, magnesium acts as a central regulator of the metabolism and modulator of calcium and potassium transport. Like zinc, magnesium is critical for enzymatic, hormonal, and neurotransmitter processes. Evidence suggests that magnesium can mitigate depressive symptoms, whereas magnesium insufficiency may aggravate stress responses. The repletion of magnesium levels is often associated with improvement of symptoms typically following antidepressant therapy or recovery from depression. Studies also distinguish magnesium as an effective adjunct in the treatment of depression and anxiety; in these settings, it modulates stress response mechanisms, the report details.
Depression is a disabling, chronic illness: the majority of patients have unresolved symptoms despite first-line antidepressant treatment. Minerals are vital in achieving optimal cognitive function. Inadequate levels of zinc and magnesium have direct, observable effects on biomarkers of mood and behavior. Targeted mineral supplementation has the potential to augment treatment response and yield improvement in clinical symptoms. Adjunctive use of nutraceuticals may improve the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological treatment by modulating underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Additional research studies that evaluate micronutrient therapy in large-scale populations will help strengthen understanding of the clinical application of minerals in the treatment of depression.