October & Mental Health

This October 6-12th is Mental Illness Awareness Week, including October 10th which is World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day.

Throughout life, many individuals experience mental health issues that can impact their mood, thoughts, behavior, and quality of life. Supporting good overall health by engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a well-balanced diet, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress can help to support mental well-being. Certain dietary supplements may also help to support cognitive function, as well as address or prevent mental health conditions.

Supplements to Support Mental Health

Here are some of my top recommended supplements for mental health, including popular products from the Fresh Start Wellness online dispensary on Fullscript, with which Fresh Start partnered. Benefits of the service: >FREE 15 minute consultation with Casey and the Fresh Start staff to select products for your overall health that are then loaded into a personal account for you to purchase at your convenience  >Purchase though your personalized link from Fresh Start and get 10% off automatically >You’ll also get FREE 2-3 Day Shipping on any purchase over $50 >Choose from 300+ brands online at Fullscript >Easy refills available >World class customer service and more St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) St. John’s wort is one of the most-researched medicinal herbs, commonly used for mood disorders in herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The plant’s yellow flowers are used to prepare teas or formulate dietary supplements. Research has demonstrated that supplementation with St. John’s wort in individuals with mild-to-moderate depression has comparable efficacy and safety when compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of pharmaceutical antidepressants. Considering several pharmaceuticals interact with St. John’s wort, it is recommended to speak with your healthcare practitioner before taking this supplement. Top St. John’s wort supplements on Fullscript: St. Johns Wort by Herb Pharm St. John’s Wort Extract by Enzymatic Therapy Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)  Bacopa monnieri is also known as water hyssop or Brahmi in Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India. Bacopa is a medicinal herb with a variety of properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, memory enhancing, sedative, and anti-epileptic effects. Clinical research has demonstrated that bacopa may improve cognitive functions such as learning and memory in healthy individuals, as well as improve concentration in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Further, bacopa may increase serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation in the body. Top Bacopa supplements on Fullscript: Bacopa monniera by Pure Encapsulations Acumen by Klaire Labs

Vitamin D Sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is synthesized in the skin from sun exposure. Clinical studies suggest that low levels of vitamin D are associated with cognitive impairment, as well as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that typically occurs during the winter months. Certain individuals, such as older adults, individuals with limited sun exposure, and dark-skinned individuals, have a limited ability to synthesize vitamin D and may benefit from supplementation. Top Vitamin D supplements on Fullscript:  Vitamin D3 1000 i.u. by Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 Gummies 1,000IU by Nordic Naturals Omega-3 fatty acids Almost 60 percent of the human brain is comprised of fat. Omega-3 fatty acids, an essential component of cell membrane structure, play a role in brain development and function. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be obtained through diet by eating oily fish (e.g., mackerel, herring, salmon, sardines) or through fish oil or vegetarian algal supplements. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to improve cognition in individuals with low omega-3 status. Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may also help prevent certain cognitive conditions such as depression and dementia. The antidepressant effects of fish oil supplementation may be attributed to its ability to reduce inflammation and directly act on cell membrane properties.   Top omega-3 supplements on Fullscript:  Peak EPA by Wileys Finest Fish Oils Super Omega-3 Gems by Carlson Labs

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