As everybody is probably aware, the last couple of years have been incredibly tough for us all. Without dwelling too much on the negatives, life has been very stressful and consequently people’s mental health has taken a hit.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues are sadly very common in this day and age, and lately, they’re even more common. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people will suffer with some form of mental health issue in their lifetime, though experts believe that the true number is closer to 1 in 2.
While we can’t always prevent life from stressing us out and grinding us down, we can do things to look after our brains and help improve our mental health, and our cognitive function. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep is a great place to start, though there is more that you can do, especially with the health of cognitive health supplements.
Here’s a look at several vitamins and supplements for cognitive health.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is commonly found in green tea.
This amino acid is renowned for its mental health boosting properties and has been found to be one of the most effective natural supplements for improving your mood and boosting brain function.
Numerous studies conducted on L-Theanine have found that it is effective at relieving the symptoms of stress and anxiety in individuals exposed to stressful surroundings. It can also help to manage the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
L-Theanine promotes relaxation, clear thinking, mental alertness and focus, plus it can also boost the immune system.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is sometimes known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ due to the fact that the body naturally produces it when exposed to rays from the sun. In the colder and darker months of the year however, people sometimes suffer with D3 deficiencies due to a lack of sunlight. This is where vitamin D supplements prove so useful.
Vitamin D3 plays a key role cognitive health and function, and mood regulation. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked with depression, stress, and anxiety.
Vitamin D supplements are ideal for people suffering with poor mental health and there is even evidence to suggest that higher doses can help treat more severe forms of anxiety and chronic depression.
Magnesium
Magnesium Citrate supplements are also very useful for people struggling with their mental health.
Magnesium is a vital trace mineral that plays a key role in numerous internal physiological processes within the human body.
Magnesium helps to promote cognitive health and function, it eases the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, it promotes feelings of relaxation and mental clarity, plus it helps assist with falling asleep and staying asleep.
The brain and central nervous system require magnesium for optimal cognitive function and for the regulation of important neurotransmitters. Magnesium deficiencies have been linked with anxiety, elevated stress levels, and depression.
While magnesium is found in whole foods, to ensure you’re getting enough, supplement a healthy diet with a quality magnesium citrate supplement and the cognitive health boosting effects should show themselves fairly quickly.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids simply must be included in any list of cognitive health boosting supplements, due largely to the fact that they’re incredible when it comes to the brain.
Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body, so they must be delivered in dietary and/or supplement form.
Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) play very important roles in mood regulation and have been found to improve your mood and reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
DHA for example, plays a key role in the synthesis of endorphins and hormones such as serotonin, which lifts the mood and promotes relaxation and mental clarity and calmness.
5-HTP
5-HTP, also known as 5 Hydroxytryptophan is a derivative of the amino acid L-Tryptophan. It is a by-product left behind when L-Tryptophan is produced. 5-HTP is therefore a chemically altered form of L-Tryptophan and is therefore ideal when it comes to cognitive health and function.
5-HTP is used by the body to produce serotonin. Within the body, 5-HTP is converted into serotonin – an important neurotransmitter when it comes to mental health, focus, and clarity.
5-HTP helps ease anxiety and stress symptoms, it promotes calmness and relaxation, plus it helps to lift your mood and make you feel happier and more mentally alert.
