The link between nutrition and mood has been well-known for centuries and people are still using vitamins, minerals and herbs to enhance their wellbeing. As more people embrace health products, we take a look at supplements that will keep you smiling…
1. Vitamin D
Known as the sunshine vitamin, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun’s rays. However, the limited amount of sunshine in the UK combined with the increased use of sunscreen means most people are missing out on its benefits.
Associated with low mood, fatigue and joint pain, vitamin D deficiency can cause a wide range of health problems. Even low levels of the vitamin, rather than a full-blown deficiency, can have an alarming effect on your motivation and outlook.
The impact of being low in vitamin D is most noticeable during winter but this doesn’t mean you’re getting enough throughout the rest of the year. If you find yourself struggling with niggling aches and pains, lacking energy and feeling down, it’s well worth having your levels checked to see if vitamin D could be the culprit.
2. Magnesium
Every cell in the human body needs magnesium to function effectively, so it’s no surprise that too little of it can leave you feeling unhappy. One of the mechanisms magnesium is directly involved in is the regulation of the nervous system. When neurotransmitters aren’t firing properly, the connection between the brain and nervous system is affected, which can lead to low mood amongst other things.
Magnesium also enables our bodies to generate energy from the food we eat and helps to create protein from amino acids. If you’re supplementing with protein shakes and amino acids but aren’t seeing results, it could be because you don’t have the magnesium you need to convert these building blocks.
This natural mineral is also an excellent muscle relaxant, so when you’re feeling stressed, fatigued or sore from a workout, adding some magnesium to your diet could work wonders. With direct and indirect mood enhancing benefits, magnesium is a top choice if you’re looking for a great all-round supplement.
3. Caffeine
When you need a fast-acting pick me up, caffeine is a no-brainer. Whether you need a hot cup of coffee to get you moving in the morning or an energy booster before you hit the gym, a burst of caffeine can give you the oomph you need to seize the day.
However, caffeine doesn’t just make you feel more alert; it has proven mood enhancing properties too. If you consume caffeine regularly, you’ll already recognise the increased mental sharpness that follows an espresso or energy drink. This is due to the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine, which is directly responsible for our mood.
It’s believed that caffeine increases dopamine receptor levels in the brain, thus enhancing the impact it has. When we increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, we feel happier, more satisfied and better motivated. While too much caffeine can leave you feeling jittery or anxious, a healthy amount can improve your cognitive performance and boost your mood.
Choosing the Right Supplements
Before deciding which supplements are right for you, it’s important to consider your own unique needs and lifestyle. Although vitamins and minerals are natural, taking too much of anything can do more harm than good. Furthermore, supplements can interact with each other, as well as with prescription meds, so you may need to check with your GP before you start a new regime.
Fortunately, there are a wide array of products which contain safe levels of essential nutrients to keep you feeling your best. Sports nutrition drinks and snacks, in particular, are carefully balanced to provide maximum benefits without any negative effects.
Ideal for speeding up a post-workout recovery, enhancing your mood and increasing your energy, you can feel better and perform better when you supplement your nutritional intake with food and drinks designed to support an active lifestyle.
Boost Your Mood with Nutrivend
At Nutrivend, we’re committed to bringing top quality sports nutrition to the masses. With strategically placed sports nutrition vending machines, we deliver convenient ‘on-the-go’ solutions in gyms, spas, workplaces, student halls, shopping malls, apartment complexes, leisure facilities and a range of venues.
To find out how Nutrivend can complement your business and serve your customer base, talk to our team today. Simply call us on 01443 719 411 or email us at hello@nutrivend.co.uk to learn more.
