If you've been feeling low, it might not just be the colder weather and shorter days making you feel down in the dumps.

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows a link between depressive symptoms and a low intake of one of our favorite immune boosters.

Researchers at the New England Research Institutes found that low dietary or supplemental intake of zinc may be linked to depressive symptoms...but only in women.

In the study, women with low zinc intake were more likely to show signs of depression, and the association between the two was stronger in women who were also on antidepressants.

The researchers concluded that zinc may play an important role in antidepressant therapy.

And remember, it's not only your emotional well being and mental health that are affected by zinc intake. Having a deficiency in this crucial mineral can cause skin problems, diarrhea, hair loss, reduced appetite, night blindness, and impaired wound healing.

An easy trick to tell if you're low in zinc is to take a look at your fingernails. If you see white spots under the nails the chances are you are running low on zinc.

Foods high in zinc include oysters (one of my favorites!), eggs, liver, and beef. Dr. Wright recommends 25 to 30 daily milligrams of zinc picolinate or zinc citrate. You should also be sure to take 2 mg per day of copper to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency.

Of course, for your best health, you should always consult with a doctor skilled in natural medicine.

Related articles of interest:

What Zinc Can Do For Your Health

Natural Ways to Ease Depression & Reduce Anxiety

Light therapy for beating the winter blahs

Protect Yourself From This Winter’s Rounds of Colds, Flu, & Bronchitis

3 Simple Steps for Warding off the Season-Change Blahs

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