Depression affects about 5% of the world’s adult population, and many attribute it to societal and lifestyle infuences as well as innate predispositions. But researchers from the Department of Physiology at Dong-A University in South Korea have found new facts that are pretty interesting to say the least.
Minkook Son, MD, PhD ,assistant professor is the corresponding author of a new study that studies and identified the impact of specific minerals on depression risk. Scientists focused on seven minerals- sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron and phosphorous, measuring their biological relevance to brain function, neuroinflammation and neurotransmission- essentially studying the pathophysiology of depression.
From the results, potassium emerged as a common protective factor against depression, followed by zinc and sodium in all population analyses. While the study could not prove causality, it provided a linkage and a better understanding of the implications of dietary change on mental illnesses.
Recommendations for ideal potassium intake in adults range from 2,600-3,400 mg, with fluctuations depending on age,gender and other health conditions. But one must keep in mind that this is not about one singular nutrient, but about how ideal quantities of all essential nutrients work together to support physical and mental health.
Now this begs the question-could mineral and nutrient supplements potentially replace standard antidepressant medication once better understood? Share your thoughts on this.
MBH/AB