Mood Foods

Hi Everyone,

It's Heather L again, with a new post about mental wellness and the importance of a good diet.

Are you feeling stressed out lately? Has Covid got you down? You might want to think about adding some vitamins and improving the foods you eat.

Some of you reading this might be thinking “I can just take a pill for my problems.” Well guess again.

Side effects of anti-depressants may include: abnormal dreams, impaired vision, anxiety, chest pain, chills, confusion, diarrhea, diminished sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, gas, headache, hives, impotence, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, rash, seizures, fatigue, sore throat, sweating, vomiting, and muscle weakness.

There are other ways to help cope with life's challenges. And they come in form of healthy, natural food. Folic acid (brown rice, beans, oranges, dark greens) and B12 (sea vegetables, miso, fortified foods) are two examples. Did you know that people with Vitamin B deficiencies are more likely to have severe depression? My recommendation is to take 800 mcg of folic acid and 1 mg of B12 per day. Magnesium (wheat and oat bran, brown rice, nuts, molasses) supports brain function and is helpful for mood disorders. You'd be surprised at the difference 300 mgs of magnesium each day can make. Omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts, flaxseed oil, hemp seeds, borage oil, primrose oil,
acai berries) build healthy brain cell membranes and help facilitate neuron-to-neuron communication. Take a supplement that includes a total of 650 mg EPA and DHA daily. Chromium (broccoli, grapes, oranges, grains) lessens depression, particularly in people who are also craving sugar. It is also a blood sugar stabilizer for all you sugar addicts out there. I'd recommend taking 300 mcg of chromium per day. Zinc (beans, nuts, oatmeal) helps metabolize omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. And it has been shown that low zinc levels are often found in those suffering from postpartum depression.Try taking 25 mgs of zinc per day.

So, if you’re having a hard time, please use the above information to at least get
started. I hope this information helps lift your spirits!

Live well and #EnjoyNaturally