Vitamin D: Superman's wonder-drug

For many, as we descend into winter our moods can drop and everything seems a struggle. Combine that with this years Cost-of-Living crisis and other dire world events and we’re in for a real rollercoaster.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) is a form of depression predominantly brought on by the lack of sunshine we absorb. Superman gets his power from Earth’s yellow sun and it seems we mortal men and women aren’t much different.

We generate vitamin D from sunlight exposure, which helps to keep our moods up.  Most people living in the Northern hemisphere just don’t get enough sunshine throughout winter.  In fact I was once told by a NHS GP that there is no point testing the UK public for Vitamin D deficiency because they more than likely know the result. Yet is isn’t routinely dished out?
You can make up for the low Vitamin D through your diet:  Eat more organic egg yolks and liver (if you can stomach it). Both are naturally high in vitamin D.  Don’t fear egg yolks!  Provided you source your eggs from well cared for and naturally fed hens, yolks are one of the best superfoods you can eat for mental health.  Besides the Vitamin D, they’re loaded with healthy cholesterol essential for keeping us happy.  Good cholesterol (HDL) helps produce our sex hormones, testosterone; a naturally powerful mood boosting hormone for BOTH sexes.

Making the gut-brain connection

Brain-Food.

Serotonin is probably the most well known feel-good hormone.  But most people don’t realise that 90% of it is produced in the gut, rather than the brain.  That’s why you always hear in nutrition circles that a healthy gut leads to a healthy mind.  Today poor digestion is far too common resulting in compromised serotonin production and low moods.  Reliance on processed foods and too much sugar has lead to gut inflammation and a host of uncomfortable symptoms, commonly understood as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).  Bloating, aches, pains, general fatigue and depression are some of the signs of an inflamed gut.  Avoid inflammatory foods such as sugars, cereals, artificial ingredients and other mass processed meals.  Swap them for naturally raised meat, anti-inflammatory nuts and seeds, avocados, blueberries and dark green leafy vegetables. Obviously specific food allergy testing unique to you would be the gold standard to find out what –if anything– is potentially irritating your gut-brain connection.

Fish oil is your most powerful anti-inflammatory food.  However, it’s important to choose them carefully. A recent study in New Zealand tested 32 fish oil brands and discovered that 83% were rancid, unrelated to their best-before date.  It’s a real problem because while we think we’re eating well, oxidised oils drive inflammation. Be wary of cheaper brands too.  They may contain heavy metals which can wreak havoc on brain chemistry and our mental health.  In my opinion, the best brand currently on the market is Bare Biology Omega 3 fish oils. I’ve used them and been a supporter of them since their inception years ago. They use only wild fish from clean waters; have one of the highest potencies of EPA and DHA (the actual fatty acids of Omega 3 we need) and, most importantly, they have every batch independently tested so you can be sure they’re super fresh. Even better news: they have their ‘Rise and Shine Omega-3’ variation which contains Vitamin-D within the capsules. Keep your gut and brain happy and get your supplemental vitamin D all at the same time.