It's true. Before I left the hospital I met with a nutritionist who sat down with me and went over my diet. I've never been a terrible eater, but I knew that I could use some help, especially if it was going to help keep my Anxiety level down. Since then, I have been amazed at the amount of knowledge that is out there with regards to nutrition and how it affects your moods and emotions, and even more amazed that this information is not posted everywhere for every eye to see. So, listed below are some foods and vitamins and why they are good to help depression and anxiety. I will be posting a couple at a time so that its easier to digest- pun intended ; )
*Chicken, tuna, salmon and mushrooms. They are rich in Niacin or vitamin B3 that is a very important vitamin for energy production. Vitamin B3 also helps support the neurotransmission system of the brain. There is the notion that deficiencies in Niacin is linked to depression and anxiety. Adding protein to your diet also keeps you sugar levels stable which can effect concentration.
*Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is a critical nutrient in supporting the production of red blood cells, preventing anemia. In addition, it promotes proper development of nerve cells. Clinical depression and memory loss can sometimes be linked to a Vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, heart palpitations and fatigue, just as often seen in anxiety patients, are side effects of being deficient in B12. Foods rich in B12 include baked snapper, venison, scallops and yogurt.
*Processed food can rob your food of nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to fight off stress and promote good health. Try to buy whole foods, unprocessed foods and try and stay away from "instant" foods, preservatives, artificial flavors, saturated fat and MSG.
Now, of course we have also heard that drinking 8 glasses of water a day will help keep you thin. In reality, it keeps dehydration away which can also seriously affect your concentration, cause palpitations, and your heart to work overtime.
Happy Eating, literally.
