Work

Association of Serum Ascorbic Acid and Zinc Levels with Depressive Symptoms in Young Ecuadorian Adults: A Case–Control Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: This study assessed the association between serum ascorbic acid and zinc levels and depressive symptoms in young Ecuadorian adults. Methods: A case–control study was conducted among individuals aged 18–34 years. A total of 88 young adults were included based on PHQ-9 scores: 44 with moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 15) and 44 with lower depressive symptom severity (PHQ-9 < 15). Serum samples were collected to measure ascorbic acid and zinc concentrations. We also collected sociodemographic data, sleep patterns, and self-reported frequency of consumption of vitamin C- and zinc-rich foods. Results: Low serum ascorbic acid (<0.30 mg/dL) was observed in 75% of individuals with PHQ-9 ≥ 15 and 43.2% of those with PHQ-9 < 15 (p = 0.002). Multivariable analysis showed that each 0.1 mg/dL decrease in serum ascorbic acid (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.25–2.66; p < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms. In crude analyses, sleeping less than 6 h (OR = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.47–10.03; p = 0.005) and going to bed after midnight (OR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.48–9.16; p = 0.004) were associated with higher odds of moderately severe-to-severe depressive symptoms. Lower self-reported frequency of consumption of vitamin C-rich foods was also associated with higher depressive symptom severity. Zinc levels showed no significant association. Conclusions: Our results show that lower serum ascorbic acid levels are significantly associated with depressive symptoms in young adults. Healthy sleep patterns and more frequent consumption of vitamin C-rich foods were more common in young adults with lower depressive symptom severity.

Source: Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/medsci14060646