Nutrient Deficiencies & Mood

Is your diet filled with sugar, junk foods, sodas, or processed foods?

Do you often skip meals?

If you suffer from depression or mood disorders, start a food diary of the foods you eat every day. You can often find answers to your health problems by doing this, as our shopping carts and refrigerators tell the story of our health.

Researchers have found that many people who suffer from depression and mood disorders are deficient in not just one nutrient but several, all contributing to symptoms.

These are found in foods such as fish and Flax Seed Oil. A deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids  or an  imbalance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids may be  one of the contributing factors to your depression. Omega 3 Fatty acids are important to brain function and your mental outlook on life. They also help people who suffer from inflammation and pain problems. Researchers have found that many patients with depression and mood disorders are deficient in Omega 3 Fatty Acids. It is important to buy fish oil that has been cold processed and tested for heavy metals and other contamination. It should state that on the label.

Important to immune function, bones, and brain health. Sunlight is the richest source for natural Vitamin D. The Journal Clinical Nutrition in Jan 21st, 2013 published the result of research that analyzed over 18000 British citizens for Vitamin D deficiencies and associated mental disorders links. They found that a deficiency of Vitamin D was present in patients with depression and panic disorders. The study results stated that people who are deficient in Vitamin D are at higher risk for developing depression later in life. Most seniors are deficient in Vitamin D. Often people working long hours in offices are deficient as well. Get out in the sun. Take a walk during your lunch break or walk your dog. Play a game with your kids outside away from computers and the television.  Get out of the house and into the sunshine. Just don’t overdo it if you are sensitive to the sun. Overdoing it is not good either.

T here is much research in Neuropsychiatry that proves the link between B-Vitamin deficiencies and mood disorders including depression.

Patients with depression are often found deficient in many nutrients including these. Often today’s foods are sadly lacking in minerals and trace minerals.

I odine is necessary for the thyroid to work properly. The thyroid, part of the endocrine system, is one of the most important glands in your body. The thyroid gland affects every function of the body including body temperature, immune function, and brain function. Iodine is found in foods such as potatoes, cranberries, Kelp, Arame, Hiziki, Kombu, and Wakame.

There are 9 necessary amino acids that cannot be manufactured in your body. You must supply them to the body by eating quality food choices. Amino acids are found in meat, eggs, fish, high quality beans, seeds and nuts. You need  to eat a variety of different foods to furnish the body with  all the amino acids needed to be healthy, as not all foods contain all nine amino acids. Your brain uses the amino acids found in the food you eat to manufacture neurotransmitters needed for optimal brain function.

Healthy brain function needs the proper balance of neurotransmitters. Some neurotransmitters calm the brain and others excite the brain. Their balance in the brain creates stability of emotions and thinking. Often depression and other mental disorders are caused by imbalances in neurotransmitters. Dopamine, noradrenaline, and GABA are three important neurotransmitters often deficient in depression. Orthomolecular physicians have found that treatment with amino acids including tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and methionine can support different mood disorders like depression.