The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in postmenopausal women depending on their Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium and Copper levels

Women, especially in the peri- and postmenopausal periods, undergo many organic and functional changes. Fluctuation and ultimately a decline in the levels of female reproductive hormones is a long-lasting process, potentially leading to regulatory disorders of the autonomic nervous system. In consequence, postmenopausal women experience depressive mood disorders and more severe anxiety symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women in connection with the serum levels of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu). The study involved 102 healthy postmenopausal women. It was divided into two parts: the first part was based on a survey performed using standardized research instruments and a questionnaire developed by the authors. The second part involved a biochemical serum analysis, whose aim was to determine the levels of selected elements. The mean level of anxiety as a state was 4.53±1.79, and the mean level of anxiety as a trait was 3.86±2.03. The mean level of depression according to the Beck Depression Inventory was 6.77±6.82. As many as 77.5% of the women had no depressive symptoms. The mean serum levels of the studied elements were as follows: magnesium (19.41±02.81 mg dm-3), zinc (0.94±0.22 mg dm-3), selenium (0.06±0.03 mg dm-3), and copper (0.40±0.57 mg dm-3). No relationship was demonstrated between the levels of selected elements and the development of depressive and anxiety disorders in the studied postmenopausal women.