MOOD

Mood Supplements That Really Work

One study found that over 50% of people experience depression symptoms in their lifetime! Wouldn’t it be nice if your mind focused on positive thoughts only? No one wants to feel insecure, anxious, or depressed. However, negative thoughts are normal. It’s part of the human condition; we all have some of these feelings from time to time. But if they make you think, “Is there something wrong with me?” that’s a different story. Our brains produce serotonin and norepinephrine, or “brain chemicals” that make us feel happy. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and plays many vital roles in the brain’s biochemistry, sustaining deep sleep, maintaining a healthy mood and self-confidence, and social engagement. Low serotonin levels will almost always show up as depressed mood, flattened emotional responses, anxiety or feelings of insecurity.

There is also a clear link between mood and appetite. Feeling blue is often accompanied by increased appetite, which can lead to overeating. 

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 has 6 forms in supplements, pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and their phosphorylated forms. The most common name for this vitamin, which was isolated in the 1930s, is pyridoxine. While it occurs in nature as a mixture of three forms, pyridoxine is converted in the body to the more active derivatives, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine phosphate. Pyridoxine is involved in the assembly and disassembly of proteins and plays a central role in amino acid metabolism. Vitamin B6 is important for the nervous system since it plays an essential role in producing serotonin and melatonin, the two chemicals that impact how we feel. Without enough vitamin B6, the kynurenine pathway is blocked, and that effects the breakdown of L-tryptophan and the formation of NAD. The presence of pyridoxamine phosphate is also necessary for the activity of steroid hormones and is involved in the synthesis of heme. 

Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency are cramps, irritability, low mood, confusion, cracks on the edge of the lips, excessive drowsiness, neuropathy. 

Source of B6 vitamin is poultry, fish, liver and eggs, avocado, bananas, potatoes, prunes, spinach, nuts. 

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is a well-known vitamin essential for energy creation, metabolism and overall well-being. Vitamin B12 is a well-known vitamin essential for energy creation, metabolism and overall well-being. Vitamin B12 is involved in the production of genetic material; the substance accelerates or controls cell division, red blood cell formation and nerve fiber construction. Activated with folic acid, the vitamin supports detoxification of homocysteine. Vitamin B12 is needed to support the ability to concentrate and a positive attitude towards life, optimism, and enjoyment.

When we lack, we feel exhaustion, general lack of energy, decreased mental function and memory, insomnia, forgetfulness, irritability, low blood pressure and many more.

Vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal proteins (meat, poultry, fish, shellfish) and less in algae, mushrooms and cereals.

The following are B12 forms:

• Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of cobalamin and does not occur in nature, so it is best to leave these preparations on store shelves.
• Methylcobalamin is a form that is very suitable for people with neurological diseases.
• Hydroxycobalamin is naturally present in the body, and it is further advised to people who are poisoned with mercury.
• Adenosylcobalamin is the form suitable if we need to burn fat and amino acids; it can also increase energy.

GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)

GABA or γ-aminobutyric acid is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). GABA is a mood-enhancing amino acid that produces calming effects and promotes restful sleep. It also has anti-anxiety and sedative properties. It is frequently referred to as the “brain calm” and is a “downer”, so GABA food can make you relax and improve sleep quality.

Signs of imbalance can show as feelings of nervousness or panic for no reason, feelings of horror, feelings of inner restlessness and tension, being overwhelmed for no reason, restless mind, difficult calming of the mind when we want to relax, disorganized attention, worrying about things we have never thought about.

L-Glutamine

Only L-glutamine is used as a dietary supplement. The amino acid provides energy for the immune system and digestion and supports the detoxification of ammonia in the central nervous system. L-glutamine improves mental ability. L-Glutamine causes an increase in cell volume during exercise, which stimulates the formation of protein and glycogen. L-Glutamine not only works to build muscle but also actively prevents degradation. L-Glutamine supports physical regeneration during sleep.

It is not recommended for a long period of time without controlling some markers of increased amino acid metabolism (ammonia, LDL). 

Signs of L-Glutamine deficiency are poor wound healing, slow recovery from illness, poor recovery from injury, intestinal disorders, headache, fatigue, confusion, poor concentration, food intolerance, poor detoxification, increased oxidative stress.

L- Taurine

L-Taurine is an organic acid with an amino group. L-Taurine is produced in the body from cysteine. The substance is a component of bile acids (taurocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid), fulfils the functions of neurotransmitters, is responsible for your moods and mental performance, protects cells as an antioxidant from oxidative damage and regulates heart rate and blood pressure. In the fetus, it is essential for the healthy development of the cerebellum and retina.

L-Taurine is mostly found in fish, shellfish, meat.

L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HT5)

L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HT5) functions are the formations of serotonin and melatonin. 5-HTP is the “plant sister” of the amino acid L-tryptophan and occurs in East African black beans (Griffonia simplicifolia). The substance has essentially the same properties as L-tryptophan; among other things, it has a mood-boosting and weight-regulating effect. Amino acid 5-HTP can cross the blood-brain barrier and thus act faster and more efficiently than L-tryptophan. If we also use vitamin B3, the effect will be longer.

We think of deficiency in a low mood, migraines, aggression, anger, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia.

L-Tyrosine 

L-Tyrosine has a mood-boosting effect as a starting material for neurotransmitters and, like L-phenylalanine, is also used as a mild mood enhancer. L-Tyrosine is formed during the metabolism of phenylalanine. L-Tyrosine should not be used with MAO inhibitors; however, you should also be cautious if you have heart rhythm and blood pressure problems.

Signs of deficiency are melancholy, apathy, sensitivity to pain, fatigue, low mood, learning difficulties, poor memory, behavioural disorders.

L-Tyrosine can be found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, oats, and wheat.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice or spice powder of yellow colour, obtained from the root of the ginger-related plant Curcuma longa. Turmeric is a daily-used spice in the Far East, where it is home. The taste of turmeric is slightly spicy, a little bitter, corrosive, like a kind of mixture of ginger and orange. It is rich in manganese, iron, vitamin B6, a lot of fibre and potassium. In traditional Indian as well as Chinese medicine, it was initially used primarily as an anti-inflammatory drug. The yellow-orange dye in turmeric is called curcumin – and this is supposed to be its main active ingredient. Curcumin has a strong effect on the gallbladder, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties and may be beneficial for modulating cognitive function in the brain. To increase the bioavailability of turmeric, piperine, the main alkaloid of black pepper is added. Like all other substances, piperine stimulates metabolism and excretion (saliva, digestive juices) and has an 

Saffron Extract

Saffron Extract acts as a mood enhancer. It does this by increasing the level of serotonin within the body. Seratonin has been referred to as a mood regulator, so when levels are increased, it positively affects one’s mood. This is why people who use Saffron Extract have claimed to have experienced better-quality sleep and reduced sad feelings.

Saffron Extract can also be used for appetite regulation, relief of premenstrual syndrome, stronger and healthier bones, natural strengthening of the immune system, alleviation of many prostate problems, an excellent choice for regulating blood sugar, and prevention of age-related macular degeneration. 

Zinc

Zinc is a critical mineral for the health of every cell, zinc is also essential for the protection of body tissues, disease resistance, cellular reproduction, and healing. Zinc is a cofactor of more than 300 enzymes, regulates the formation and breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Every cell in the body requires zinc to perform its basic metabolic functions, in addition to growth and repair. Zinc promotes immune protection, wound healing, hair growth, insulin storage and protection from cell damage. Zinc acts as an antioxidant and is also involved in the metabolism of vitamin A.

Natural sources are mostly found in foods of animal origin, especially in shellfish (oysters in general), beef and other meats and eggs, among plant foods that are richer in zinc are legumes and nuts (Indian nuts, almonds, peanuts).

Magnesium

Magnesium has the role of a building block, bone and teeth structure, and is needed for the energy metabolism (production of ATP) of every cell in the body. Magnesium acts as an activator or cofactor of about 300 enzymes. Magnesium is indispensable for the metabolism of all macronutrients and is essential for nerve function. The mineral can be used to reduce stress reactions such as irritability and aggression.

Typical signs of magnesium deficiency are irregular heartbeat, fatigue, painful muscle cramps, nervous nerves, confusion, and personality changes, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive impairment and many more.

Natural sources are green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, legumes, whole grains, bran, sprouts, yeast, soybeans. Magnesium is present in meat only in small quantities. It is added in a lot of vitamin and mineral preparations and is available in several forms.

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