What foods can support a healthy mood?
It’s during times of stress that many of us make unwise nutritional choices, like reaching for a bag of chips or ice cream. Rather than seeking comfort in junk food, consider healthy omega-3 rich foods that support brain health. There’s also growing evidence of a connection between the GI tract and nervous system. So supporting a healthy digestive system with probiotics may also have a positive impact on your mood health.
How can you keep yourself mindful and calm?
Mindfulness, while not a new concept, has been recently popularized due to its potential benefits. L-theanine, L-tryptophan, bioactive milk peptides, the adaptogenic herbs lemon balm, ashwagandha, holy basil, saffron, magnolia and phellodendron, and other supplements can support calmness that enables mindfulness. Conversely, practicing mindfulness in stressful situations can induce calmness.
How can L-theanine promote mood health?
L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, produces a calming effect in the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier and supporting the production of the inhibitory amino acid GABA as well as the neurotransmitter hormone dopamine. It also promotes brain health by supporting the cells of the brain’s hippocampus, involved in memory and learning. Fortunately, we don’t have to drink large amounts of green tea to obtain a significant intake of L-theanine since the compound has been isolated and made available as a supplement.
