Zinc

Zinc is an essential element that plays an important role in hundreds of biochemical reactions. The brain has the highest zinc content of any organ in the body. As a cofactor for three of the most potent antioxidants in the body, zinc plays a crucial role in controlling free radical damage. Zinc is also essential to the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, glutamine, and GABA.

Clinical studies show that zinc is a promising migraine preventive [Ahmadi, 2020; Evicili, 2018]. Zinc supplementation may also improve cognitive function, depression, and premenstrual symptoms [Afzali, 2021; Jafari, 2020; Maylor, 2006].

References

Afzali A, Goli S, Moravveji A, et al. The effect of zinc supplementation on fatigue among elderly community dwellers: a parallel clinical trial. Health Sci Rep 2021;4:e301

Ahmadi H, Mazloumi-Kiapey SS, Sadeghi O, et al. Zinc supplementation affects favorably the frequency of migraine attacks: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J 2020;19:101

Evcili G, Utku U, Ogun MN, Ozdemir G. Early and long period follow-up results of low glycemic index diet for migraine prophylaxis. Agri. 2018;30:8–11

Jafari F., Amani R., Tarrahi M.J. Effect of zinc supplementation on physical and psychological symptoms, biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in young women with premenstrual syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2020;194:89–95