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Mental health, an important part of overall health

Mental health is a big part of one’s over all health. Today in my area and around the country people are speaking up about the importance mental health awareness. It’s awesome 👏🏻

We need to address mental health issues in our culture. They are just like any other health issue and need to be addressed from a foundational perspective. Science has shown that certain nutrients or the lack there of can contribute our mental health. Let’s explore the impact of food on your mental health.

Food has an impact on your mental health

While sugary, fatty and processed foods are linked to depression, ingredients rich in vitamins, antioxidants and omegas have the opposite effect. Also, remember food is fuel and like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Here are the best nutrients to boost your brain health.

Nutrients to Support Your Mental Health

1. Omega 3’s – healthy fats that fight inflammation while supporting healthy brain structure and function. We can find them in seeds and nuts, but our best sources are oily fish such as sardines, anchovies and salmon.
2. B Vitamins – needed for range of energy and metabolic functions in the body. In addition, they play critical role in the production of a range of brain chemicals. Also, B vitamins have a synergistic effect. They can be found in a wide variety of foods such as leafy greens, legumes and animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs.
3. Amino acids – building blocks for proteins, used to form brain structure and chemicals. Some amino acids are precursors of mood-modulating chemicals; tryptophan, for instance, is needed to create serotonin. Importantly, amino acids are found in any sources of protein, such as meats, seafood, eggs, nuts and legumes.
4. Minerals – especially zinc, magnesium and iron, have important roles in brain and nervous system function, immune function, oxygen delivery and energy metabolism. However, we can only get minerals from outside sources. Much like amino acids, good sources of minerals are meat, legumes, seeds and nuts.
5. Vitamin D3 – a fat-soluble vitamin made when skin is exposed to sunlight. It is equally important for brain development, bone development and immune function. A quality D3 is a good choice when we don’t get enough sunlight.

In conclusion, the impact of food on your mental health matters and you can take steps to support your mental by including healthy food and these nutrients in your diet daily.