Vitamins can assist in helping many ailments, deficiencies and symptoms, but did you know that there are a certain few that are amazing for your mental health?
16 per cent of adult New Zealanders have been diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lives, and combed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency the problem can be exacerbated. While supplements can’t specifically treat conditions like depression or anxiety, they can provide an incredible boost to your recovery or ongoing mental health maintenance.
Praised for their mood-boosting abilities, vitamin B is essential for our neurological complex and mental functions. According to Psychopharmacology magazine, taking a vitamin B complex supplement can not only improve your mood, but your long-term memory too. There is substantial evidence that high levels of vitamin B12 has specifically been associated with better mental health treatment outcomes.
Everyone knows that being out in the sunshine will make you feel better but so does the key nutrient it provides: vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, and it’s said that it’s best to get your intake from multiple sources so a daily supplement is a great option if you’re deficient.
We’ve spoken previously about fish oil being great for your skin, but it’s also beneficial for brain health. It has also been linked to many clinical studies which suggest taking omega-3 supplements in conjunction with antidepressants for the ultimate response to treatment.
Bad night’s sleep? Magnesium is the ultimate vitamin for helping with sleep problems and it also works as a muscle relaxant so is wonderful for post-exercise recovery. Even if you don’t have trouble nodding off, research has indicated that 80 per cent of us are magnesium deficient which is reason enough to regularly take it in pill form. Did we mention it also helps control PMS?
From your weight to your brain, it’s hardly news that gut health is linked to every part of our body. New York City-based holistic women’s health psychiatrist and author of A Mind of Your Own, Kelly Brogan, MD, believes that gut inflammation strongly links to depression. So, what’s the best way to correct an imbalance and restore your gut to optimum health? With probiotics.
To know whether any of these vitamins are a supplement you should be taking daily, complete our online health assessment and get a personalised recommendation here.