Many think of supplements as a way to enhance physical health. However, supplements have an even stronger ability to affect one’s mental state. There is a whole category called nootropics which do exactly that. In fact, vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been shown time and time again to worsen severe mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

There is much evidence backing up the use of vitamins and minerals for prevention and treatment of neurological and psychological problems. Along with this, they also typically come with fewer side effects than prescription drugs. In this article, we will go over a couple of supplements which can be of great benefit to your mental health.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is perhaps the most important vitamin for your physical health and your mind. Unfortunately, it is also one of the vitamins of which a majority of people simply do not get enough. Limited sun exposure, the use of sunscreen, and an unhealthy diet void of fatty fish has led to what is now an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency all over the globe.

In fact, some professionals estimate that over 50% of people worldwide are vitamin D deficient. This statistic is very unfortunate as this vitamin is an essential nutrient for both immune and nervous systems. Low levels of it have also been linked to depression.

A lot of people end up experiencing symptoms for a short while in the winter months when sun exposure is at a minimum. This condition is, appropriately enough, known as “SAD.” For these individuals, quick amounts of sun exposure might make a difference. However, those that are experiencing much more significant deficiencies have no other course of action but to supplement with actual vitamin D3.

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid.
These two vitamins work together synergistically. They both can help achieve optimal health of your nervous systems. The reason they are so critical to the health of the brain is that they help facilitate the overall communication between nerve cells.

The vitamins work to regulate various things such as sleep and mood. It has been shown that people who suffer from severe depression more often than not have folic acid deficiencies. It would, therefore, be wise to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if you fall into this group.

As it relates specifically to vitamin B12, many people lack it in the right quantities. This is true for as much as 15% of the population. This vitamin is typically gained from various healthy food sources such as eggs and meat. Anyone who is vegan or vegetarian should definitely be supplementing their diet with vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is also absolutely critical for your brain because it is responsible for not only producing many vital neurotransmitters but also for maintaining them. An insufficiency in this type of vitamin can result in depression, severe fatigue, and anemia. Worse yet, it can lead to neurological diseases.

As a bonus, taking a vitamin B12 supplement can supply you with a short spike in energy levels. This temporary boost will allow you to get an energy kick first thing in the morning without the stimulation of caffeine.

Overall, supplements can play a critical role in avoiding or limiting mental health problems and promoting overall health. This article only discusses two of them, and that is barely scratching the surface. For more information on other brain friendly supplements and nootropics visit Best Nootropics Now. You can also have a chat with your doctor to see which product may be right for you.