This triggered some brainstorming and research to find a mood boosting supplement mix to replace prescribed medications for mental health diagnoses. I will reveal them over a series of post.
In this first post, I would like to introduce you to: EPA/DHA. For starters, EPA is Eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA is Docosahexaenoic acid. Whew, that's a mouth full! In a nutshell, these two are members of the omega-3 fatty acid family. They both support brain and mental functioning. When you think about it, the brain itself is 60-80 percent fat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found under the fattest layer of cold-water fish and shellfish, plant and nut oils, and flaxseed (just to name a few). It can also be obtained through supplements. Through research, I found that EPA effects one's behavior and mood. DHA, on the other hand, is one of the primary fatty acids in the brain and it has been reported that the brain functions more efficiently when there are higher levels of DHA in the body. Studies have shown a strong correlation between omega-3 fatty acids, or a lack thereof, and symptoms of major depression.
Let's look at what EPA/DHA supplements reduce symptoms for:
- Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD
- Depression
- Mood Disorders
- Schizophrenia
This is one supplement that I plan to recommend to clients who want to naturally boost their moods, and perhaps even create a "wellness cocktail" with it included. If interested in purchasing EPA/DHA supplements, click here. These are pretty pricey, but the reviews are good and I support Vitacost.
Are you interested in reading about the remaining mood boosting supplements? Stay tuned, there's four more left!