It’s important to give your body the fuel it needs. While our food provides a lot of macro nutrients protein, fat, and carbohydrates, the average American diet lacks many key micronutrients and fiber. If you aren’t eating a lot of different plant-based foods, you are missing out on the benefits of powerful antioxidant polyphenols. It helps to take a daily multi-vitamin to make sure that we have optimal levels of these micronutrients and polyphenols to maintain good health both physically and mentally.
Today, society is facing an increase of metabolic health problems (issues with cardiovascular health, insulin resistance, and unhealthy weight) and an increase of mental health challenges.
Did you know?
- Depression affects 1 in 10 adults. In a given year, 18.8 million American adults (9.5% of the adult population) will suffer from a depressive illness. Depression is the most prevalent mental health problem among older adults. Approximately 80% of persons with depression reported some level of functional impairment because of their depression, and 27% reported serious difficulties in work and home life.
- Anxiety affects 1 in 5 adults. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
- 1 in 10 minors are diagnosed with ADHD. 12% of U.S. children and teens had a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2011, a number that has jumped by 43 percent since 2003.
- Dementia affects 5.8 Million Americans. Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of aging. Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia. Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities.
- Depression and anxiety have a significant economic impact; the estimated cost to the global economy is US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity. Depression is estimated to cause 200 million lost workdays each year at a cost to employers of $17 to $44 billion
- “The truth is that preschool aged children are the fastest growing age group being prescribed anti-depressants.” – National Mental Health Association
Here are some facts on nutrition and it’s relationship to our mental health:
- 9 out of 10 don’t need the RDAs for vitamin D and E.
- Over 50% don’t need the RDAs for Vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium.
- Approximately 90 percent of North Americans may actually suffer more or less from folate deficiency, even only 2.5%
- Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA and EPA, support healthy brain function, and low levels can lead to unstable moods, depression, anxiety, poor focus and attention, and more.
- Vitamin D is needed for neurotransmitter production, and low levels have been linked to depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health symptoms
- Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression. Even in people with seemingly normal blood vitamin B12 concentrations, depression will improve with vitamin B12 supplementation.
- When someone experiences full-blown folate deficiency, depression is one of the most prominent symptoms.
- Magnesium is necessary for many different processes in the brain and body, and it can be thought of as a calming nutrient. A high percentage of people in the U.S. have magnesium levels that are lower than they should be, which can lead to increased anxiety and panic, restlessness, poor sleep, and irritability.
- Low iron is also linked to depression, anxiety, restlessness, sleep problems, and ADHD symptoms. Studies show that iron deficiency may contribute to ADHD in children
- The lower the level of selenium in the diet the more reports of anxiety, depression, and tiredness, decreased following 5 weeks of selenium therapy. Selenium supplementation improved mood.
There is a correlation with our nutrition deficits and how it affects society’s mental wellness. While these facts focus on how nutrition affects mood and mental wellbeing, nutrition plays an important with ALL our body functions: immunity, metabolism, liver health, kidney function, reproduction, hormones, neurological processes, vision, skin, hair, wound healing, nerve activity, and gene expression.
When your diet and lifestyle is out of balance, it manifests in issues in the body and mind. Something I knew all too well.
In my teenage years, I had trouble getting a good quality of rest. I had a lot of issues with my mental and emotional health. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t sleep. I was unmotivated. At times I couldn’t control my emotions. When I was sad, I couldn’t eat and withdrew from people and didn’t socialize. When I was angry or frustrated, I pushed people away. Sometimes, I felt okay, but I feared that happiness was only temporary and I was only one trigger away from a downward spiral. I’ve seen doctors and various health professionals. It took a while to find something to help ease my pain. My first treatments had terrible side effects. My mind raced. Eventually, I found something that worked, but that too eventually had other side effects. I was tired all the time and couldn’t function normally and perform my day to day tasks. It was then I decided to seek alternatives. I made positive changes to my diet and lifestyle. I was giving my body and mind the rest it needed, my relationships with my friends and family improved, I was eating well and regularly and by then, I was open to health and wellness products. I started taking prebiotic and probiotic supplements, mineral supplements, and a product that contained fucoidan.
After learning about the link between nutrition and health, the question I had was not whether or not I would take vitamins, my question were which one? When I was looking for vitamins, I was overwhelmed with information that I decided to put that question on the back burner until a family friend insisted that our family take a look at dōTERRA supplements.
Not only did I get a personal overview on why doTERRA Supplements were the right supplements for me, I met the people that developed the Lifelong Vitality Pack and that sealed the deal.
Read Next Article: Development of doTERRA’s Lifelong Vitality Pack
