Chicken noodle soup when you have a cold. Grandma’s mashed potatoes to treat a broken-heart. Deep dish pizza with pepperoni and roasted red peppers for… Reasons. We all have certain foods that seem to make us feel all warm and toasty inside when we need it the most. Of course, in the previous examples that comfort is usually short-lived. Within an hour of taking the supposed treatment, we are completely incapable of leaving the couch. And, as our reflection in the Netflix loading screen taunts us, we are left feeling a combination of guilt and odd-satisfaction; levels of which are usually reserved only for literal pigs.

Indeed, comfort food is a fickle mistress. So, why do we eat so much of it?

comfort food and health

The entire point of stuffing your face to an obscene amount is to give yourself a quick jolt of the “feel good” brain chemicals: endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, etc. It is perfect for shrugging off a hard day at work, or nursing a persistent hangover. However, when your levels return to normal, you experience that “crashing” period where all you can do is lay around and regret EVERYTHING. Given, the occasional binge-eating session on your cheat-day sometimes feels like mana from heaven; but, what if there was a better way to treat your stress with chow?

Is there an effective way to – at least – lessen the effects of anxiety, depression, and other mental problems with food?

According to Drew Ramsey, MD of Columbia University…Very probably. Dr. Ramsey has been a pioneer for the examination of vitamin deficiencies in psychiatric patients. He has come to the conclusion that poor nutrition likely exacerbates – and may even cause – many common mental disorders, including: depression, anxiety, and even general aggressive behavior.

“Vitamin deficiencies can affect psychiatric patients in several ways: Deficiencies may play a causative role in mental illness and exacerbate symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms can result in poor nutrition. Vitamin insufficiency—defined as subclinical deficiency—may compromise patient recovery.”

~ Dr. Drew Ramsey, MD
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Many of the essential chemicals that the brain needs to regulate your mental health are found naturally with a healthy diet. But, as we covered in the beginning, no one’s diet is perfect. Eventually we all have gaps when it comes to our nutrition. Gaps, sometimes in the shape of two large orders of mozzarella sticks.

how to get better nutrition

In order to fill in these gaps, doctors and nutritionists alike recommend incorporating dietary supplements.

If you are seeking a natural way to relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or some other common mental ailments, here are the vitamins you should pay attention to:

  1. B1 (Thiamine)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Memory problems, confusion, lack of coordination (among others)
  2. B2 (Riboflavin)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Fatigue, sore throat, vision problems, irritability (among others)
  3. B6 (Pyridoxal)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Migraines, chronic pain, sleep disorders, depression (among others)
  4. B9 (Folate)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Loss of appetite, fatigue, physical weakness, behavioral disorders (among others)
  5. B12 (Cobalamin)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Depression, irritability, anemia, fatigue (among others)
  6. C (Ascorbic Acid)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Fatigue, joint pain, sleep disorders, depression (among others)
  7. A (Retinol)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Vision problems, confusion, lack of coordination, chronic illness (among others)
  8. E (Tocopherols and Tocotrienols)
    • Possible signs of deficiency: Neuropathy, vision impairment, weakness, fatigue (among others)
  9. D (Calcitriol)

If you are experiencing symptoms similar to any of the ones mentioned above, it may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. Of course, it is always recommended for you to first seek the help of a licensed doctor who can both test for – and treat – both nutrient deficiencies and psychological problems.

nutraceuticals

If you are tired of some minor dietary miss-steps interfering with your mental and physical well-being, we recommend finding a medical grade (high-absorbing, with claims validated by a third-party research firm) nutraceutical for your daily use.

ORDER HERE: https://pharmaden.net//shop/ or call 800-910-5523

SOURCES:
http://technologyadvice.com/blog/information-technology/activate-chemicals-gamify-happiness-nicole-lazzaro/
http://www.mdedge.com/currentpsychiatry/article/64985/depression/vitamin-deficiencies-and-mental-health-how-are-they
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pathophysiology
https://pharmaden.net//2016/10/10/vitamin-d/