Zinc benefits for women
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Zinc Supplementation and Mood, Psychological, and Cognitive Health in Women
Zinc supplementation has shown benefits for mood and psychological well-being in women. Studies in young women found that zinc supplementation significantly reduced anger, hostility, and depression scores, suggesting a positive effect on mood states . In women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), zinc supplementation led to significant reductions in both physical and psychological symptoms, and increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and antioxidant capacity, which are linked to better mental health . Additionally, zinc improved physical aspects of quality of life and marginally improved sleep quality in women with PMS . In overweight or obese middle-aged women, zinc supplementation improved cognitive test scores, indicating potential benefits for cognitive health, although it did not significantly affect anxiety or depression scores .
Zinc and Female Reproductive Health: PCOS, Dysmenorrhea, and Menopause
Zinc plays a crucial role in the female reproductive system. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), zinc supplementation improved insulin sensitivity, reduced fasting plasma glucose, and decreased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde Nasiadek2020Taslim2024Jamilian2015. Zinc also reduced symptoms like alopecia and hirsutism in PCOS patients . For women with primary dysmenorrhea, zinc supplementation before and during menstruation helped reduce the intensity of menstrual pain .
Zinc Benefits for Postmenopausal Women
Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of zinc deficiency, which can affect various health parameters. Zinc supplementation in this group improved vitamin D3 status and was associated with lower leptin levels, which may benefit metabolic health . It also increased circulating folate and decreased homocysteine levels, both of which are important for cardiovascular and cognitive health . Furthermore, zinc supplementation increased testosterone levels and improved several aspects of sexual function, such as desire, arousal, and satisfaction, in postmenopausal women with low zinc and sexual function scores .
Conclusion
Zinc supplementation offers a range of benefits for women, including improved mood, reduced PMS symptoms, enhanced cognitive function, better reproductive health, and positive effects on metabolic and sexual health, especially in postmenopausal women. These findings highlight zinc’s potential as a supportive nutrient for women’s health across different life stages Sawada2010Vázquez-Lorente2021Jafari2019+7 MORE.
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