Zinc vs 5-HTP

for mood

Stronger evidence: tie

Stronger effect: Zinc

Safety: 5-HTP carries a serious interaction; Zinc has none recorded.

For mood, the two are evidence-matched; the difference is in effect and safety.

grade C low certainty

may augment antidepressant response; deficiency-correction likely matters

25 mg/day, adults

grade C low certainty

preliminary antidepressant signal; small, lower-quality studies

sources: PMID:42197650 · PMID:00000035