Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Nutr Rev. 2024 Apr 12;82(5):612-621. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad076.
The incidence of anxiety, which stems from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, has been increasing worldwide. Various methods by which it can be treated or prevented have been reported thus far. One of the most popular and effective treatments is supplementation therapy. Zinc, which is an essential nutrient found in various plants, animal foods, and supplements, has been shown to be a potential nutrient in anxiety reduction by acting on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamatergic, serotonergic, neurogenesis, and immune systems. It can also influence important receptors, such as GPR39. Thus, zinc has received considerable attention with respect to its potential role as a therapeutic or detrimental factor for anxiety; yet, the available evidence needs to be analyzed systematically to reach a convergent conclusion.
The objective was to systematically review any potential connection between adult human anxiety and zinc intake.
Nine original human studies, of which 2 assessed the relationship between zinc consumption and anxiety (based on a questionnaire) and 7 assessed the relationship between serum zinc levels and anxiety, were included based on specific selection criteria. Studies that had been written in English and published in peer-reviewed publications with no restrictions on the date of publication were searched in the Google Scholar and PubMed databases. This project was also reported according to the PRISMA guidelines.
As per the studies analyzed in this review, there was a noticeable relationship between serum zinc levels and anxiety, which means that patients with anxiety have lower levels of zinc in their serum, as compared with healthy individuals. Furthermore, zinc consumption was inversely associated with anxiety.
The results provide plausible evidence for the positive role of zinc in the treatment of patients afflicted with anxiety, albeit with some limitations.
焦虑的发生率源于内在和外在因素，在全球范围内呈上升趋势。迄今为止，已经报道了各种可以治疗或预防焦虑的方法。其中最受欢迎和有效的治疗方法之一是补充疗法。锌是一种存在于各种植物、动物食品和补充剂中的必需营养素，通过作用于γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）、谷氨酸能、血清素能、神经发生和免疫系统，被证明是一种潜在的减轻焦虑的营养素。它还可以影响重要的受体，如 GPR39。因此，锌因其作为焦虑的治疗或有害因素的潜在作用而受到广泛关注；然而，需要系统地分析现有证据以得出一致的结论。
系统评价成人焦虑与锌摄入之间的潜在联系。
根据特定的选择标准，共纳入了 9 项原始人类研究，其中 2 项评估了锌摄入与焦虑之间的关系（基于问卷），7 项评估了血清锌水平与焦虑之间的关系。在 Google Scholar 和 PubMed 数据库中搜索了以英语撰写且发表在同行评审出版物上、没有出版日期限制的研究。本研究还按照 PRISMA 指南进行了报告。
根据本综述分析的研究，血清锌水平与焦虑之间存在显著关系，这意味着与健康个体相比，焦虑患者血清中的锌水平较低。此外，锌的摄入量与焦虑呈负相关。
这些结果为锌在治疗焦虑患者中的积极作用提供了合理的证据，但存在一些局限性。
