18 Years of Experience in Psychiatry Acupuncture and Micronutrients
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that everyone needs – in minute quantities – for good health. These essential vitamins and minerals include vitamin A, iodine, iron, and folic acid.
Without micronutrients – or essential vitamins and minerals – the human body does not grow and function properly. The consequences of not getting enough vitamins and minerals can range from birth defects and mental impairment to child deaths due to lowered immune system and susceptibility to diseases.
Brain biochemistry relies on nutrients to carry signals. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals or an excess of saturated and trans fat alters brain function and mood.
Your body uses vitamins and minerals to activate enzymes to make important mood-regulating neurotransmitters. If you lack essential micronutrients, you won't have as many natural mood-boosting chemicals.
This concept has been under study for nearly 100 years. Even back then researchers had noticed an improvement in symptoms of major depression and bipolar disorder with changes in nutrients. The evidence on the relationship between micronutrients and mental health is growing. Recent studies suggest that better diet quality is associated with less mental illness.
A recent study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition investigated the nutrient intake of people with mood disorders and micronutrient levels present in their blood. Many of the study's participants had inadequate intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, iron, and zinc. A deficiency in a lot of micronutrients means a lot can go wrong with their bodies and brains!
When you consume an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals, you could enhance the therapeutic benefits of antidepressants or mood depressants. In some cases, ample micronutrient intake has led to a reduction in the dose required.
Some medications also raise your need for some vitamins and minerals because they interfere with nutrient metabolism. You don't want your mood to fluctuate even more because the medication itself is preventing you from absorbing the nutrients you need.
The safe, simple way to get the important nutrients for your mood is to take a complete antioxidant vitamin and mineral mix. Also, foods that contain some major micronutrients that affect mood include seafood, nuts, and vegetables, which are all beneficial to your physical appearance, too.