Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a role in numerous biological processes, including neurotransmitter function and synaptic plasticity. Several observational studies have found that individuals with depression often have lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that zinc supplementation, when used as an adjunct to conventional antidepressant therapy, can result in greater improvements in depressive symptoms than antidepressant therapy alone. For example, a 2013 meta-analysis published in Biological Psychiatry reviewed several RCTs and concluded that zinc supplementation has a significant antidepressant effect, particularly in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. The biological rationale includes zinc’s involvement in modulating glutamatergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may counteract some of the pathophysiological processes implicated in depression. However, the number of high-quality studies remains limited, and sample sizes are often small. Thus, while there is growing scientific validation for the use of zinc in supporting depression treatment—especially as an adjunct to standard care—the overall strength of evidence is moderate rather than conclusive. More large-scale, well-controlled studies are needed to further clarify its efficacy and optimal dosing strategies.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Albizia
algal oil
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anchovies
Angelica
aniracetam
anthocyanins
apigenin
Ardisia
arginine creatine
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
basil
bee products
Beef liver
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacterium longum
biogenic amine
biopterin
Black Hellebore
black tea
blackboard tree
brahmi
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabichromene
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
caryophyllene
catalpol
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
cistanche
citicoline
Citrus
Clary sage
clove
cocoa
coconut
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
commiphora
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
Cymbopogon martini
D-phenylalanine
damiana
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dopamine
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
estrogen
fatty acids
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavonoids
flavonols
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
fungus
gardenia
gastrodia
gastrodin
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glutamate
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guanidinoacetic acid
Gypenoside
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
hemp
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericin
Hypericum
icariin
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inositol
inositol phosphate
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
kanna
Kokilaksha
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactium casein decapeptide
lactoglobulin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
Lebbek
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
liquid liver fractions
lithium orotate
little ironweed
long pepper
luteolin
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Matcha
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Mesembrine
Methylcobalamin
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Monkey flower
Morinda
Moringa
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Osthole
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phospholipids
Physalis angulata
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piper nigrum
poly-thyronine
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
polyphenols
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rosabin
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rue
Safed musli
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
Sarcosine
sceletium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
selenium
Sensitive Plant
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
Stereospermum
Sulbutiamine
suma
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thymoquinone
thyroid substance
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Tumerone
turmeric
Uncaria
Uridine
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Yerba mate
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Zinc
AbrasionsAcne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Premature Ejaculation
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Candida Clear
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Men's Formula (With Lycopene)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Target TS-II Formula
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Support
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave
Nature's Sunshine Yeast/Fungal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
