Vitamins For Depression: The Natural Solution for Boosting Mood and Fighting the Blues.

Firstly may I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

My first article for 2023!! I wanted to begin with a subject that is close to my heart right now and that is how to self-help with symptoms of depression.

I had the worst year in 2022 and to be completely honest I don't feel like I am back to myself yet but I am in a much better head space. As cliche as it sounds a new year has given me the push to wipe the slate clean and really focus on my health both physical and mental and push forward in doing what I can to make 2023 is a great year.

As the saying goes 'Healthy Body, Healthy Mind' and it is so true and this brings me on to today's article.

Let's dive in...Are there any specific vitamins that support mental health?

The answer is YES.

Vitamins help you body in a number of different ways. However, many people do not realise that vitamins are also crucial for helping the health of your mind.

Depression is one of the many mental illnesses that can really help to ruin a person’s life if left untreated.

If you are someone who is hoping to deal with depression in a way that is healthy to your body but does not include the use of prescriptions from the Doctor, you might want to gain a better understanding of just how vitamins can work to help boost mental health.

First and foremost, let's take a look at B vitamins. B-complex vitamins are essential to your well-being, including your mental and emotional health. They are water-soluble, which means that they cannot be stored in the body over time to be used at a later date, and so you must eat foods rich in B vitamins every day or take vitamin supplements.

Low B-vitamins that could cause or add to depression include thiamin, which provides energy to your brain, and pantothenic acid, which is crucial in the formation of certain hormones that suppress depression. Most other B vitamins affect your mental and emotional state as well, and because they are broken down in the body by alcohol and sugar, many people find it a struggle to eat enough food rich in the B vitamins.

Vitamin C is also extremely helpful in the fight against low moods. People who have a vitamin C deficiency often feel fatigued or depressed, normal levels are usually easy to achieve in the body, but you might find that you need a boost from vitamin supplements if you have recently had surgery or an inflammatory illness. Lack of vitamin C is common if you are stressed or pregnant, so be particularly mindful of changes of your mood during these times of life.

You can opt for foods rich in B-vitamins that include broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach, peas, and kidney beans, and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid. You can find vitamin C in Citrus fruits (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit), bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower) and white potatoes.

But I get it, it's not always easy to eat all of the above so a vitamin supplement might be better for you. If you are curious on supplements, feel free to drop me a message and I can send you to some recommendations.

To Your Health, Lara xx

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If you are struggling with depression it's important to talk to a doctor for professional help.

The advice in this article is not to replace any advice or medication recommended by a Doctor and is not to be used instead of seeking help from a doctor.

Samaritans.?To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact?Samaritans?24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call?116 123?(free from any phone).

SANEline.?If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call?SANEline?on?0300 304 7000?(4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK.?Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the?National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK?on?0800 689 5652?(6pm–3:30am every day).

Shout.?If you would?prefer not to talk?but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to?85258.?Shout?offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

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?You doctor will be able to recommend brands that are of high quality and instruct you on how to take the vitamin supplements so that your body can get all of the nutrients it needs to stay happy and healthy, both physically and mentally.

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You can also visit a nutritional therapist or naturopath who can guide you to purposeful supplementation through diets and food.