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Diet
plays an
important role
in deciding
our mood
and level
of happiness.
The way
we feel is
often affected
by what
we are eating
or not.
The results of a new Finnish
study show
that people
who take
food rich
in folate
and vitamin
B12 are
less likely
to exhibit
symptoms of
depression. According to Tanya
Zuckerbrot, a New York City nutritionist, the recommended daily amount (RDA) of
these vitamins is 400 to 800 mg, depending on individual requirements.
In this
particular study,
researchers analyzed 12 month
food-frequency questionnaires of 2,840
Finnish adults.
The answers
were compared
with a
standard 21-question
survey. People
with the
highest intake
of folate
and vitamin
B12 reported
less sadness,
irritability, changes
in sleep
and appetite,
and other
signs of
depression.
These
vitamins affected
the symptoms
of melancholic
depression, which
were due
to biological
triggers like
chemical imbalances
in the
body. The
non-melancholic symptoms
of depression
like anxiety
and low
self esteem
caused by
external factors
were not
affected by
these vitamins.
The vitamins
affected different
types of
depressive symptoms
differently. Further
research is
needed to
understand the
reasons behind
this phenomenon.
Folate and vitamin B12 produce
serotonin, the chemical in the brain responsible for a feeling of happiness. If
we do not take enough of these vitamins, we tend to feel anemic, fatigued, and
grumpy.
This is just what is happening to most
women today. They are not taking the recommended dosage of these very essential
vitamins in their diet, which is making them really anxious and depressed.
What can they do to reverse this
trend? They can include meat, eggs, and
dairy products which are rich sources of vitamin B12 in their daily meal plan,
and keep depression away. They
can also
talk to
their doctor
about taking
supplements to
ensure they
reach the
recommended daily
amount.
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