It is a fact that millions of people suffer from anxiety, stress and depression in the world. There could be many reasons for depression including the rising unemployment, physical problems, inability to find happiness, marital problems and others. Not just adults and the elderly, many children too suffer from major depressive disorders across the world.
While some people look for the support of their friends and family for overcoming depression, others may turn to psychiatrists and doctors. But there are many natural ways to treat it as well. There are plenty of effective supplements and vitamins which can help you overcome depression symptoms. The following are the top 5 such vitamins and supplements:
Fish Oil
Fish oil is one of the supplements which helps treat depression symptoms. It is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for the chemistry of the brain. When a person’s brain isn’t running correctly, he/she may start feeling depressed and anxious. But with adequate consumption of omega 3s, this can be prevented. Thus including fish oil in the diet can help overcome sadness, grief, low self-esteem etc., which are symptoms of depression.
B-Complex Vitamins
According to certain studies, one of the major reasons for depression is imbalance in the brain neurotransmitters. But consuming B complex vitamins such as Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6 can up the serotonin levels and provide relief from depression as serotonin acts like an anti-depressant. Basically, what these vitamins do is that they enable the body to conserve the amino acid called tryptophan and convert it to serotonin which works as an anti-depressant for the brain. A study of 140 clinically depressed persons was done and B Complex Vitamins proved effective in combating their depression.
Theanine
Theanine supplements too work amazingly well against depression. Theanine is basically a derivative of amino acids which are found in green tea. What this derivative does is that it triggers the release of gamma amino butyric acid in the brain and thus promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety. This supplement must not be taken without the prescription of the doctor. Since the body has difficult in absorbing synthesized gammaamino butyric acid, theanine works much better and is recommended by many.
5-HTP
5-HTP is a kind of an amino acid which helps to raise the levels of serotonin in the body. This is a kind of an anti-depressant which is very effective for those on whom other types of prescription drugs have not worked on shown any kind of results. It works similar to theanine5.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is very popular as far as maintaining healthy teeth and bones is concerned but this is a multitasking vitamin which also works brilliantly against depression. It helps to reduce the anxiety levels, provides relief from everyday stress and combats nervousness. It also fends off depression and this has been proved through studies conducted on depressed persons. It is unclear how this vitamin works against depression but results have been observed in the past.
