ABSTRACT Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern. Trace minerals are involved in neurophysiological pathways relevant to mood regulation and are proposed to be a potential nutritional factor influencing depressive symptoms during postpartum period. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mineral supplementation for the prevention and reduction of depressive symptoms among postpartum women. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses databases for studies published between January 2000 and April 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational designs investigating selenium, zinc, iodine, or iron supplementation and PPD. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies. The primary outcome was PPD, evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Potential adverse effects were narratively summarized. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251135697). Six eligible studies were included: Four RCTs, one case-control study, and one cohort study, comprising 1265 participants. Study quality ranged from moderate to high. Findings across studies were heterogeneous. Selenium was associated with reductions in depressive symptom scores in some studies, while evidence regarding zinc, iodine, and iron was inconsistent or limited. Overall, available evidence suggests certain trace mineral supplementation may present a potential adjunctive approach for managing PPD. However, evidence remains heterogeneous and limited by methodological shortcomings, preventing definitive conclusions. Well-designed, powered RCTs with standardized protocols are needed to determine effective dosages, treatment durations, and clinical applicability.
Masaad et al. (Wed,) studied this question.