Depression or Deficiency
Mood swings, depression and anxiety appear to be way more common now. We often attribute these feelings and moods to our daily stress. It is a fact that life just keeps getting more and more hectic each day. We find ourselves spinning more plates than we can handle and at the end of the day we feel exhausted, overwhelmed and irritable. While our filled to the rim schedules and our many obligations can be a contributing factor, there are other factors to consider.
In my practice I have found that vitamin deficiencies can also to lead to irritability, depression and anxiety. The major players in this are vitamin D, B vitamins and folate. In addition, magnesium and omega 3 deficiencies can also affect mood.
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. It is responsible for keeping your bones strong, strengthen your immune system and help cell regeneration. However, vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to depression and mental health issues. Vitamin D is important for brain function and a study in 2005 identified increased vitamin D receptors in the area of the brain associated with depression.
You should certainly check your levels and understand that you may be at risk of deficiency if you have limited sun exposure, poor diet and gut issues.
Deficiency can result in:
-weak bones
-osteoarthritis
-heart disease
-cancer
-mood fluctuation
The treatment for vitamin D deficiency are:
-take a supplement
-increase exposure in the sun
-improve diet and consume foods that are higher in D
-exercise and maintain healthy weight
-address gut health issues
B vitamins are also essential to your health. They can have a significant influence on your overall mental wellbeing. In particular vitamin B6 and B12 have been proven to improve skin and nail health, reduce your risk of heart disease and support mental health. A study found that more than a quarter of severely depressed women were found to be deficient in B12.
You can only obtain B12 from animal proteins. If you’re vegan or vegetarian you should use a quality supplement.
Omega 3 fatty acids can create mood imbalances and mental health challenges. Your brain is 60% fat and since your body cannot make essential fatty acids, you must consume healthy fats to fuel your brain. If your body is deficient, your body will create poor nerve cells and thereby decreasing brain function and altering your mood. Low omega 3 can also result in ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Magnesium is a known mineral for complete body relaxation. Deficiency of magnesium can lead to depression, anxiety and inability to manage stress. Magnesium is an abundant mineral and found in many foods such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. However, because of the depletion in our soil, we are finding more people are becoming deficient. Early signs of deficiency are fatigue, weakness, nausea, loss of appetite. More advanced signs can include numbness, tingling, cramping, abnormal heart rhythms and personality changes.
If you suspect that you have a deficiency, you should schedule a Functional Medicine consult with yours truly. We essentially want to get to the root cause of your health challenge. I look forward to working with you in order to achieve your health and life goals.
Take advantage of our 2020 special that includes a Functional Medicine Consult, my signature 7 day online coaching program plus a 45 minute coaching session for only $495. You can schedule your appointment at manifestyourepiclife@gmail.com