Authors of a new study out of the Sunnybrook Research Institute, published in the December 15, 2013 issue of Biological Psychiatry, conclude that, “The pathophysiological relationship between zinc [low] status and depression, and the potential benefit of zinc supplementation in depressed patients, warrant further investigation.” We have written and presented extensively on the association between certain types of depression and inflammation (the cytokine theory of depression). As it turns out, inflammation is a big driver of not just depression but other Diseases of Civilization (DOCs). Said inflammation causes imbalances in your psycho-neuro-immunological (PNI) status leading to alterations among your hormones, adrenal chemicals, neurotransmitters, immune cells, growth factors, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. One such alteration recently in the news is the link between depression and zinc status (http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/blog/the-depressionzinc-link/). Because inflammation can lead to low zinc, there is a good chance that if your depression is of the inflammatory ilk, then you will have low zinc levels. What distinguishes inflammatory depression from non-inflammatory depression? In general, depressions associated with systemic inflammation are more likely to be associated with "atypical" symptoms such as over-eating, over-sleeping, fatigue, leaden paralysis, andrejection sensitivity. Moreover, this type of depression is often associated with other medical conditions such as obesity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and PTSD. It is for such reasons that we put, among other choice ingredients, zinc in our top-selling supplement for depression, anxiousness, and insomnia: Serocor.

1. ↑Depression
↓Zinc

2. ↑Depression
↓Zinc
Authors of a new study out of
the Sunnybrook Research
Institute, published in the
December 15, 2013 issue of
Biological Psychiatry, conclude
that, “The pathophysiological
relationship between zinc [low]
status and depression, and the
potential benefit of zinc
supplementation in depressed
patients, warrant further
investigation.”
Zinc in depression: a meta-analysis.
Swardfager W, Herrmann N, Mazereeuw G, Goldberger K, Harimoto T, Lanctôt KL. Biol Psychiatry. 2013 Dec 15;74(12):872-8.
Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_10685191_lock-padlock-security-safeguard-strong-password-hold-iconconcept-closed-puzzle-link-secret-code-enc.html'>snake3d / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

4. Over-Sleeping
Image based on a Pin by Allison Whelan

5. OverEating
Image based on a Pin by Lydia

6. Rejection
Sensitivity
Image based on a Pin by Plodding Historian

7. Obesity

8. Genetic
Susceptibility &
ELA*
Diet,
Toxins &
Other
Stressors
* ELA – Early Life Adversity
“Leaky
Gut”
INFLAMMATION

9. Inflammation Causes
Unique Imbalances In
Your Hormones,
Neurotransmitters,
Immune Cells, Growth
Factors, Vitamins,
Minerals, and
Nutrients

10. Leaky Gut/Dysbiosis
O &NO damage
Omega-3s
Neurogenesis
Genes
Uterine
Environment
ELA*
Zinc
INFLAMMATION
Dopamine
P38 MAPK pathways
(SERT and DAT),
BH4
Serotonin
IDO
IL-10, TGFβ
Choices
IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα,
IFNγ
TRYCATs
Glutamate
Habits
EAAT
Neurodegeneration
*ELA – Early Life Adversity
Maes M, Kubera M, Leunis JC. The gut-brain barrier in major depression: intestinal mucosal dysfunction with an increased
translocation of LPS from gram negative enterobacteria (leaky gut) plays a role in the inflammatory pathophysiology of depression.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 Feb;29(1):117-24.
Haroon E, Raison CL, Miller AH. Psychoneuroimmunology meets neuropsychopharmacology: translational implications of the impact
of inflammation on behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2012 Jan;37(1):137-62. doi: 10.1038/npp.2011.205.

11. Image repinned from Нева Анасович

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Integrative Psychiatry, Inc.
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