Authors : Rahul R. K.; Aswathy H. V.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yvb893z7

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yjch3puv

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr1508

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Abstract : Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent mental disorders with multifactorial etiologies that include biological, psychosocial, inflammatory, endocrine, and nutritional pathways. An increasing amount of original human research indicates that, especially in vulnerable populations, shortages or insufficient consumption of specific micronutrients may contribute to the onset, intensity, or persistence of depression and anxious symptoms. The original research on vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, iron/ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and general micronutrient sufficiency in connection to anxiety and depression is summarized in this narrative review. poor ferritin, altered zinc status, poor vitamin D status, and insufficient consumption of certain micronutrients are all linked to a higher burden of depressive symptoms, according to observational studies. In certain groups, reduced ferritin may also be correlated with anxiety severity. While the evidence for magnesium, folate, and vitamin B12 is still more inconsistent and frequently indirect in the examined sources, it is strongest for zinc as an adjuvant to antidepressant medication in serious depression and for vitamin D in high-risk older persons with prediabetes. Although the existing data does not support oversimplifying depression and anxiety as solely nutritional diseases, it does encourage micronutrient assessment as part of a more comprehensive biopsychosocial examination of patients with these disorders. Future research should concentrate on clinically significant psychiatric consequences, standardized biomarkers, and populations defined by deficiencies.

Keywords : Depression, Anxiety, Micronutrients, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Ferritin, Iron, Folate, Vitamin B12.

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