Nutraceuticals are agents of nutrition that can be taken in a number of forms in order to provide the body with nutrients it may not be getting from other sources, like eating. The purpose of using nutraceuticals is to promote health by giving the body a dietary need in order to process functions. But, while neutraceuticals have long since been known to improve physical health, the study of nutraceuticals’ impact on mental health is relatively novel. Understanding how neutraceuticals can play a part in mental healing is helpful for individuals who wish to utilize non-invasive and efficient methods of treatment as neutraceuticals can be easily implemented into treatment programs.
Nutraceuticals in the Realm of Treating Mental Illness
What you put into your body doesn’t only matter as far as physical health, but mental health as well. Our diet can play a part in how our brain functions, which can have an impact on our mental health. Specific dietary supplements, like neutraceuticals, can help to improve signaling and neuron pathways in the brain that can result in symptoms of mental illness. So, utilizing certain nutraceuticals during mental health treatment programming can play an active role in reducing the severity and frequency of some symptoms of mental health issues.
Types of Nutraceuticals and The Parts They Play With Mental Healing
There is a wide range of nutraceuticals that can be integrated into mental health treatment. This is because different neutraceuticals can promote different results. The types of nutraceuticals that individuals utilize to gain sustained or boosted mental healing may differ from person to person depending on the desired effect and mental diagnosis.
B12
Those struggling with depressive disorders may benefit from taking vitamin B12 supplements. B12 is found in some foods like red meats and dairy products, but it is not available from eating plants alone. So, this vitamin is specifically important for people who aren’t getting enough B12 from a plant-based diet. When a person doesn’t get enough vitamin B12, it can result in a number of issues including exhaustion, increased depressive symptoms, and memory problems. B12 is responsible for a number of things including a properly functioning immune system and brain. Specifically, B12 helps the brain to produce and release neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for mood regulation. This is what makes it so helpful for people who are diagnosed with depressive disorders. Using B12 in combination with other depression treatments can help to improve the effects of anti-depressant medications.
Omega-3
Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is responsible for maintaining brain health by improving the structure of brain cells and supporting brain functions. This can help people who are struggling with the effects of a number of brain-affecting disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, and more. While omega-3s can be found in certain foods like salmon, other fish, oils, and seeds, it can be difficult to get a high level of omega-3 in the body without the use of supplements. So, using omega-3 supplements can help people living with mental health issues improve brain function so they can experience a reduction in disorienting symptoms as a result of mental health issues.
Nutraceuticals Available Through Mental Health Treatment
Some mental health treatment facilities, like Synchrony Brain Health, offer neutraceuticals as an additional treatment tool for mental health treatment. Find out more about the nutraceuticals we make available to patients who need them during treatment on our website.
