Vitamins That Boost Mental Health
Here's something that may surprise you: those lingering symptoms of depression, anxiety, or obsessive mannerisms you can't seem to shake may not be solely related to messy genes, poor coping mechanisms, or faulty brain chemistry—they may be related vitamin deficiencies, such as zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin D, among others. The following provides some information on key nutrients and their role in regulating our mental health.
Zinc
Zinc serves as one of the core nutrients that helps regulate many biological processes, including our mood. When individuals experience low zinc levels, conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mood disorders may arise. One study demonstrated that zinc supplementation together with SSRI's improved major depressive disorders more effectively than patients receiving SSRI treatment alone (Ranjbar et al. 2013). In fact, long-term treatments with zinc in laboratory animals presented with the same effects as antidepressant drugs (McLoughin & Hodge, 1990).
Vitamin B complex
Certain mental health-related conditions can also coexist with deficiencies in B vitamins. For example, early studies have shown that children with autism present with low B6, and after supplementation of B6, some showed marked improvements and started to speak for the very first time (Kotsanis et al. 1984). In mice studies, niacinamide was actually found to have properties in common with benzodiazepines and barbiturates (Voronina, 1981).
Additionally, patients with depression are known to present with deficiencies in B12, and people with B12 deficiencies are more likely to be severely depressed than non-deficient individuals (Cornish & Mehl-Madrona, 2008). Additional symptoms of B12 deficiency can include fatigue, lethargy, poor memory, mania, and psychosis. B vitamins including riboflavin, B12, folate, and B6 have even been shown to help manage symptoms of schizophrenia.
Vitamin D
And last but not least, vitamin D, also known as the "sun" vitamin, is also essential for our mental health. Vitamin D helps support healthy growth and development. About 50-90% of vitamin D is produced by sunshine exposure and the rest actually comes from our diet (Naeem, 2010). Neuro-degenerative diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and osteoporosis have also been linked to vitamin D deficiencies (Naeem, 2010).
Conclusions
For anyone struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, and even schizophrenia, there is hope. Despite popular belief, mental struggles may not exist solely "in your head," but may have roots elsewhere throughout the body. Research is continuing to uncover links between vitamin deficiencies and mental ill-health, which can be further addressed through dietary approaches or supplementation, potentially lessening the need for increased pharmaceutical treatments. Keep in mind, targeting nutritional deficits won't solve all your problems, but it could be an important step in your treatment or recovery.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-flourishing-family/202008/vitamins-boost-mental-health
How important do you think supplemets are for an individual's physical and mental health?
#Nutrition #Supplements #MentalHealth
@calmDew1576
Supplements can be very beneficial for our health!
I currently take vitamin D supplements every morning.
I will have to check the others out!
Thanks for the post Dew<3 💛✨
@innateJoy9602 That's great and I hope you're enjoying the results! I'm very glad that vitamin D supplements exist as someone can have all properties of vitamin D without all the side-effects of the sun. Thank you for sharing!
@calmDew1576 I really think supplements can be really helpful! I read about the Vitamin B6 helping with mental health, so I started taking that along with Vitamin D and I really do think they help! I definitely think mental and physical health are multifaceted, so important to always take general care of ourselves <3 Thank you for sharing!
@fruityPond7887 This is so true! Incorporating a healthy lifestyle can be very beneficial for the brain!
Of course supplements seem to work but it's always a combination of things that make someone halthy.
I'm so glad you are seeing results as this can also boost confidence about mental activities such as work.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
@calmDew1576 You're correct <3 Thank you for sharing this article and encouraging others to take care of themselves! ❤️
I definitely think this is a major thing to share and I’m very glad you shared it!!
I noticed my moods and overall performance in life improved as soon as i started taking vitamins and having a diet consisting of fish and greens, i felt lighter and happier overall and more in control of myself, thanks for sharing!!!
@Strife1425 Thank you so much for reading!
Thank you thar was helpful ❤️
@jasmineishereforu Thank you for reading <3
@calmDew1576
A well healthy diet = a healthy mind! Normally a healthy diet will include all the vitamins you need (except Vitamin D, which is a little harder to get from diet) and support a healthy body!
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