As I have mentioned before, there are a lot of ideas about what causes depression. I have listed theories such as hormone issues, our diet, our environment, and genetics, among others. It is thought that for a lot of people depression is the result of a combination of different causes, but today I would like to take a closer look at potential mineral deficiencies that may be linked to depression.
Although this is not necessarily a comprehensive list, a lack of the following minerals in the diet may lead to depression: iodine, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and iron. Why are these minerals suspected to cause issues?
Iodine is an important mineral related to thyroid function. If there is a deficiency in iodine the thyroid may not work as well, leading to things like a slower metabolism and depression.
Selenium is also an important mineral related to thyroid function, so a deficiency in selenium can lead to similar symptoms as what is seen with an iodine deficiency.
Zinc is important to many biochemical processes in the body, including those related to mental health. A deficiency here can lead to mental health issues.
Magnesium is similar to zinc in that it is important to many biochemical processes in the body and can lead to mental health issues if deficient.
Iron is important to help carry oxygen in the blood. A deficiency can lead to anemia, and symptoms can include a depression type of presentation.
If you have depression and are seeing a provider for it, consider asking them to test for these mineral levels to see if they might be playing a role in your depression. If testing reveals deficiencies, changing parts of your diet might help your depression tremendously. Or, testing might not be available or done at all, but a review of your diet could lead to making some changes. Supplements may also be considered. Overall, this might be a simple way to address a potential cause of depression that is commonly overlooked.