Efeitos do zinco nos transtornos de ansiedade: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are a significant issue with considerable impact on individuals quality of life. Despite the knowledge on the importance of nutrition in psychopathologies, evidence supporting the association between minerals and anxiety remains limited. Thus, this integrative review aimed to analyze the available literature on zinc and anxiety in adults. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus databases. 309 articles were initially identified, of which 7 met criteria for inclusion. The findings showed similar results: dietary patterns with recommended zinc intake are related to a lower risk of anxiety and its protective effect on cognition and mental health disorders. Although the study designs reviewed do not allow for causal inference, the observed outcomes, jointly with the physiological mechanisms of the mineral, suggest its role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders and highlight the need for further research.