GOOD MOOD FOOD
The Right Choices Produce The Right Attitude
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
Certain nutrients can enhance our brain chemistry and make us happy. To make sure you're getting enough of these good-mood makers...
Fork Up the Fish. University of Pittsburgh researchers found that healthy subjects with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in seafood, were less likely to have a negative outlook or to battle the blues. Aim for two servings a week of such fatty fish as salmon, sardines, rainbow trout or white canned tuna.
Consider Supplements. Low serotonin levels have been linked to low spirits, says Marie-Annette Brown, PhD, RN, of the University of Washington. Getting 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid; 50 milligrams each of B1, B2 and B6; and 400 international units of vitamin D every morning has been shown to boost serotonin and, as a result, people's mood and energy. In Dr. Brown's research, combining these supplements with daily exercise and exposure to natural light helped women overcome depression.