No vitamin is a perfect ingredient to make you happy. However, certain vitamins have been proven to help aid in mood regulation. This means that being deficient of them can leave you feeling down. Keep in mind that mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder can be very serious, and these good feeling vitamins may not be the cure.
But consuming these vitamins regularly as part of a well-balanced diet can help boost your overall mood if you’re feeling a bit sluggish or down in the dumps. Here’s a helpful list of the vitamins that give you the energy and make you happy, as well the best ways to get them.
B Vitamins
When considering which vitamins you should take to get more energy, you’re confronted with many options. There is a whole family of B vitamins that have all been shown to increase energy, reduce stress, and promote happiness. These vitamins include B6 and B12, but can also be disguised by their names, like thiamine, riboflavine, and folic acid (B1, B2, and B9).
While there are B vitamin supplements available on the market, the best way to make sure you get enough is to eat the right foods. Animal proteins are abundant with B vitamins. And if you don’t eat meat, look to dark leafy greens like kale and whole grains. My favorite way to get B vitamins is to drink kombucha, or to sprinkle nutritional yeast on a salad. Both of these are good sources of B vitamins, and easy to add to any meal.
Vitamin D
A lot of people don’t get enough of this vitamin. In recent years, vitamin D has been the subject of many studies, pointing to numerous benefits. Among these positive effects are prevention of certain cancers, increased calcium absorption, and improved mood. So why are so many people still deficient? There are plenty of vitamins that make you feel happy!
Nowadays people spend less and less time outside. And it’s not only because we work more and watch more television. As awareness about the causes of skin cancer has increased, people have begun to avoid direct sunlight. But exposure to sunlight is one of your body’s best vitamin D resources. When it is exposed to ultraviolet rays, your body produces this vitamin.
Now while we all know that to much sun exposure without sunscreen has long-lasting negative effects on our skin, a tiny amount of daily sunlight is all it takes to get enough. There are also dietary sources of vitamin D, like salmon, eggs, and fortified milk.
Vitamin C
Most people know the benefits that vitamin C offers, like boosting your immune system. In addition, though, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that aids your body in eliminating harmful free radicals within the body. The brain is especially susceptible to these free radicals, and the damage they can lead to cancer, early aging, and mood disorders. Since vitamin C fights free radicals, it can prevent damage and keep your mood stable.
Omega 3’s
Ok, I know that omega 3’s are not actually vitamins. They are technically fatty acids. But I included them on this list, because like the vitamins that make you happy, omega 3’s are an essential part of a healthy diet, and can have a huge impact on your mood.
Studies have shown that the cultures with the highest consumption of omega 3’s have the lowest rates of depression, like Scandinavians and the Japanese. The trick to getting enough omega 3’s is simple: eating fatty fish. Mackerel, trout, herring, and bluefin tuna have the highest levels. If your are not a fan of seafood, look to flax seeds, algae, or fish oil supplements.
Conclusion
Don’t forget this is just a shortlist of the easy to get vitamins that make you happy! While taking a multivitamin may seem like an easy way to ensure you get all the nutrients you need, it’s best to eat a diet rich in vitamins. Consuming this healthy diet, avoiding causes of free radical such as alcohol and tobacco, and getting regular exercise almost guarantee that you’ll be in a good mood all the time.
Do you use any other kind of vitamins that make you happy and wellbeing? Let us know in the comment section!
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