Zinc is an essential nutrient that is known to have several beneficial effects that includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant actions. Evidence on the effects of supplementation of zinc on biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and antidepressant-like effects in young women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are limited. A randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial was conducted. Almost sixty women, aged 18-30 years with PMS were diagnosed as per the 30-item questionnaire and were randomly allotted to receive either 30-mg zinc gluconate (group 1; n = 30) and placebo (group 2; n = 30) for almost 12 weeks. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms, high sensitivity reactive protein, total antioxidant capacity, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were evaluated at study baseline and then at 12-week intervention.

PMS physical symptoms and psychological symptoms significantly reduced in the zinc group as compared to placebo group after 12 weeks of intervention. A significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and total antioxidant capacity was observed after 12 weeks of intervention with zinc as compared to placebo.

Thus, the study concluded that zinc supplementation for 12 weeks in women with premenstrual syndrome revealed beneficial effects on physical and psychological symptoms of PMS, total antioxidant capacity along with brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Source: Jafari F, Amani R, Tarrahi MJ. 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 Mar;194(1):89-95. doi: 10.1007/s12011-019-01757-9. Epub 2019 Jun 2. PMID: 31154571.