Do you or people you know feel grumpy, anxious, or sad during the winter? To a degree that makes it difficult to keep spirits up? These may be symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Gray skies, cold weather, little to no sun exposure for months—all unfortunate ingredients of this often overlooked condition.
Before we brush this form of depression off as something to just “get over,” it’s important to address the disorder. In addition to helping yourself, you can create a solution for others by introducing a supplement full of helpful nutrients to ease the seasonal blues and remind us all that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Gopesh Patel, RPh, has some insight on just which nutrients can offset and even prevent SAD during the bleak and bitterly cold weather that keep us inside for too long. Let’s take a look:
1. Melatonin
Also known as the sleep supplement, melatonin is a hormone that helps balance sleep/wake cycles and mood, which can all be affected by the change of seasons. A disruption in melatonin levels may cause trouble sleeping and subsequent terrible moods from being tired (Who DOESN’T get cranky when they’re tired?). Luckily, a melatonin supplement can help balance sleep wake cycles year-round (pharmacytimes).
2. St. John’s Wort
Extracts from this flowering plant are also used for its mood-balancing properties, supporting optimal emotional and mental function. St. John’s Wort has been used for thousands of years, but is only now gaining tracking in the U.S. and abroad… something to use to your advantage.
3. Tyrosine
A natural antidepressant, tyrosine fuels our brain to make another natural antidepressant called catecholamine, utilizing enkephalines (cousins of endorphins), and results in an overall sense of well-being (pharmacytimes).
4. SAM-e
S-adenosyl-methionine contributes to a wide variety of biochemical reactions—one of which is to provide support for the healthy function of neurological processes. According to Patel, “as a major source of methyl groups in the brain, SAM-e in conjunction with other methyl donor metabolites like betaine, choline, or folate might optimize serotonin and dopamine, as well as the brain’s sensitivity to them. A drop in serotonin negatively affects mood and causes depression, which is a key indicator of SAD” (pharmacytimes).
5. 5-HTP
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) helps heighten brain serotonin levels. This is important because as we know, when our serotonin levels swoop too low, they are believed to trigger depression. Our bodies can create 5-HTP to convert into serotonin, but sufficient tryptophan (which usually comes from food) must be present in order for that to occur. When supplementing with 5-HTP, the body both quickly and naturally replenishes serotonin levels. And more serotonin yields a better mood. In fact, it can sometimes happen within minutes. You heard me… MINUTES!
Play your part
During the cold seasons, SAD-ness can sometimes take over—but it doesn’t have to. If you want to create a solution to something many people choose not to address for themselves, now is your chance. We know that manufacturing an idea is half the battle when it comes to hitting the nutraceutical market. Makers Nutrition is a pre-packaged solution for all of your manufacturing needs—from start to finish. We are ready to help you help others. Request a quote today!
**Please consult with a licensed physician before taking any of the above supplements.
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