One of the best ways to stay healthy is by living a happy life and doing what you can to get out of bad moods when they come. This is particularly important if you are prone to experiencing mood swings, as depression is known to significantly suppress the immune system. There are different means by which you can improve your mood and what you eat can play a major part in the process. Here are some mood boosting foods that you should know about:
1. Salmon
Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and is also a great source of proteins. It contains folate, which is linked with decreased symptoms of depression in men, and also B12 that is linked with decreased rates of depression in women. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) can also be controlled by consuming this fish due to its vitamin D content.
2. Vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D helps to lower levels of depression, particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D). You can get vitamin D from foods, but it might be a challenge to get enough vitamin D from food alone so you might want to try taking some vitamin D supplements. Some additional benefits are that it helps in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption and also helps to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
3. Dates
Dates are a rich source of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and leucine, all of which help to increase serotonin levels and make you happy. Dates also contain various vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of energy, sugar, fiber and other essential minerals.
4. Shellfish
Shellfish are known to be the richest source of vitamin B-12, and a deficiency of this vitamin can result in lethargy and drain your motivation. While you shouldn’t be deficient in vitamin B-12, you should also not cit in excess, as research shows that excess amounts of vitamin B-12 can lead to irritability and depression. Shellfish is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, protein, and minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium.
5. Olive oil
Olive oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help to inhibit the progression of depressive disorders. It is also rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, which makes it heart-friendly and helps to ward off heart disease and stroke.
If you experience severe bouts of mood swings on a frequent basis, you may want to try one or more of these options.
image courtesy of: rd.com, mensfitness.com.
