Our in-house Nutritional Therapist, Amy Pamment, shares her top tips on food, to put you in a better mood.
As we head back to work, school and routine, after the six week summer holiday, you may be wondering how to improve positivity and mental focus. This article has been designed to provide you with advice and ideas on the best food and vitamins to introduce in to your diet, to get your mind ready for the cooler months ahead.
Adding key nutrients to your diet may help promote feelings of happiness, motivation and relaxation. Adding helpful food items to your diet can activate powerful brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine (known as neurotransmitters), and in turn, can help support mood and overall mental health.
The Best Way to Nourish your Brain
Be at the top of your game by eating a variety of food items that contain protein, such as:
Meats
Fish
Nuts
Seeds
Pulses
The above foods include essential amino acids, including tyrosine and tryptophan. These two acids combined, represent the initial building blocks of serotonin and dopamine. Imagine them as the main ingredient to in a recipe in creating good brain health.
Once your body has the essential building blocks in place, you can add a further supply of key vitamins and minerals, which will act as co-factors in completing the perfect recipe for enhanced brain health.
The key vitamins to aid in creating serotonin and dopamine, are:
B6
B12
Vitamin C
…alongside minerals such as:
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Fatty acids and Vitamin D are also vital when supporting your ‘building blocks’. Our bodies need brain boosting chemicals, and a ready supply of essential fats, which include Omega 3 and 6.
We can find these essential fat elements in fish oil, algal oils, plant and seed oils. These oils can support a range of mental health challenges including lack of focus, attention and overall concentration. In some cases, anxiety and depression can also be improved by eating the right food.
If you’d like personal support for your nutrition goals, or, you’d like to review your diet, or speak to a professional about getting yourself (or your family) on the right path to optimum nutrition, our very own in-house Nutritional Therapist, Amy Pamment would love to meet you.
Click below to book a free consultation, or, an appointment if you’re a regular client. Amy is available at Oak Park Clinic on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.