Amino acids - Visit our shop for this product
These
protein building-blocks are the raw materials for neurotransmitters and
other mood-regulating brain chemicals. Those most directly related to
mood and depression are tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine.
Essential fatty acids - Visit our shop for this product
Neural
membranes contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids, so a deficiency in these
fats impairs nerve function, and contributes to mental and nervous
disorders such as depression, aggression and schizophrenia.
Vitamins
B1
(thiamine)
B1 is needed by the brain to help convert glucose into fuel
and, if it runs out, mental energy dwindles, resulting in possible
depression, irritability, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. Mice fed
a thiamine-deficient diet had marked amnesia and mood abnormality.
B3 (niacin) - Visit our shop for this product
In
a placebo-controlled study of 33 children with disturbed behaviour, it
was found that only one of the children failed to respond to B3
therapy, and all relapsed to their former behavioural problems when the
treatment was stopped.
B6 (pyroxidine) - Visit our shop for this product
As
this nutrient is essential for converting tryptophan to serotonin, it’s
no surprise that there’s a strong correlation between B6 deficiency and
depression. Women taking the Pill, known to deplete levels of B6 and to
speed the breakdown of tryptophan, are often advised to supplement with
B6 as a natural antidepressant.
B12 (cobalamin)
Important
for the formation of red blood cells, a deficiency can lead to
pernicious anaemia, characterised by mood swings, paranoia,
irritability, confusion, dementia, hallucinations or mania - symptoms
that can easily be mistaken for mental illness.
Folic acid (folate)
A
water-soluble B vitamin necessary for the production and upkeep of new
cells, a deficiency is believed to be a major cause of schizophrenia.
One study found that over a third of patients with schizophrenia had
borderline or definite folate deficiency. However, too much folic acid
may worsen psychotic behaviour or adversely interact with antipsychotic
drug treatments.
Vitamin C - Visit our shop for this product
This
powerful antioxidant is essential for fighting free radicals from
pollution and toxins, and plays a role in maintaining mood. When 40
chronic psychiatric patients took a vitamin C supplement, those taking
the vitamin (rather than a placebo) showed improvement in their
depressive symptoms.
Minerals
Magnesium - Visit our shop for this product
This works in tandem with potassium and calcium, and is important for
more than 300 biochemical reactions in your system. It maintains normal
muscle and nerve function as well as helping energy metabolism and
protein synthesis. A deficiency can lead to fidgeting, restlessness,
anxiety, psychomotor instability and learning difficulties among
children with a normal IQ.
Iron
Essential for the formation of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein
component of blood, a deficiency leads to anaemia, resulting in
irritability and poor attention.
Calcium. While often associated with strong bones, calcium is also
involved in blood-clotting, nerve function and regulating blood
pressure. Too little of this mineral - which goes hand-in-hand with
magnesium deficiency - is associated with depression.
Zinc - Visit our shop for this product
Necessary
for healthy brain function, low levels often lead to irritability,
mental slowness and emotional disorders. The findings of one
double-blind placebo-controlled study of children with ADHD suggest
zinc deficiency may lie at the root of it.
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