Mood Disorders: A problem that can never be neglected
Mood disorders can affect nearly every part of an individual’s life. The American Psychological Association estimated that such specific disorders, ranging from anxiety to depression, cost the United States around US$ 50 billion a year in lost productivity. The market for mood support supplements has become a growing sector for health and wellness, especially so as emotional health has been linked with physical well-being. Back in 2007, sales for mood health supplements were at $430 million with their growth rising by 7% into 2008, according to the New Nutrition Business, reported that sales for mood support supplements reached around $500 million. Supplements with mood/relaxation claims make up around $2.7 billion in retail sales. Consumers’ interest for natural mood support is undeniable, whether for anxiety, stress-related issues, or seasonal affective disorders.
Ingredients to Support Your Mood
General moodiness is likely to be a part of everyone’s life, but in some circumstances, changes in mood may be severe and have an effect on health and daily function. When rapid or frequent mood shifts seem to occur without a cause or when they affects one’s behaviour, well-being, or typical function, the support of a therapist or supplements are needed. Below are some recognised ingredients that are often used in mood support supplements.
1. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in the functioning of the central nervous system. It supports synthesis and conversion of cognition-critical brain chemicals, helps form myelin sheaths throughout the nervous system and supports brain chemicals associated with a bright, healthy mood.
2. Folic Acid
Folic acid has the most amount in terms of ingredient percentages in most mood enhancers. This is because of the fact that folic acid is known for treating depression. Even better, if you are already taking antidepressants, folic acid can help magnify the effects. Aside from being an antidepressant component, folic acid can also reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
3. Vitamin B12
This vitamin improves the functioning of the brain as well as the nervous system. Cyanobalamin, also known as Vitamin B12, is an integral element to most mood enhancers. It minimises sleep disorders, and helps improve thinking and memory skills in older people. It also aids in staving off fatigue and exhaustion. Methylcobalamin is also known as vitamin B12. It promotes the production of the monoamine neurotransmitters which has a great affect on the mood of an individual.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another potential ingredient that act as a natural antidepressant by increasing serotonin levels.
5. St. John’s Wort Extract
St. John’s wort is one of key ingredients of most anti-anxiety and mood enhancing supplements. It is a traditional cure for light to moderate depression. It decreases the insomnia and anxiety related to it, and in conjunction with folic acid, can probably deal with some heavier forms of depression. St. John’s wort is also effective for dealing with menopausal symptoms, and can help in the minimisation of the symptoms of somatisation disorder, where the body will feel phantom pains due to mental or emotional states. This plant extract is also known as probably having an effect on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and some forms Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
6. Valerian
Valerin is a perfect ingredient found in most mood enhancers as it lowers the levels of anxiety, and can be used to combat the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome. It also tones down restlessness, making it a mild holistic sedative.
7. GABA
GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) is a chemical that naturally occurs in the brain. It is known for relieving anxiety, and is known as a popular mood support ingredient. It can address the symptoms of PMS and ADHD.
8. Taurine
Taurine is known for boosting mental performance. It affects attention and verbal reasoning, without affecting memory. In this case, it will help boost overall thinking skills by strengthening thinking mechanisms and processes.
9. L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid that is found in green tea, and it is known for being an effective drug for lowering anxiety levels and blood pressure.
10. Rhodiola Rosea Extract
Rhodiola rosea extract was used to increase resistance to sickness, fatigue, depression, impotence, and nervous system disorders. It has been shown to boost stamina, reduce exhaustion and accelerate recovery processes during and after strenuous physical activity.
11. L-Phenylalanine
This amino acid is known to relief the symptoms of anxiety and depression and is added in all the anti-anxiety and anti-depressants available in the market. It helps in blocking the calcium channels in the brain thus acting as not only an antidepressant but also an analgesic. Phenylalanine improves the mood and boosts the overall mental spirit of the individual.
12. Ginkgo Biloba Extract
This ingredient is also effective for relieving anxiety and its symptoms and it also boosts the memory power and concentration levels. It can also treat serious disorders like dementia, vision problems, pains and aches, PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome), dizziness, vertigo and so on.
13. Griffonia Bean Extract
It is included for its contribution of 5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP, which is an amino acid the body converts into serotonin. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with the development of the depression.
14. Tyrosine
It serves as a building block necessary for the composition of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals all work to regulate mood.
Kangcare has focused on the area of mood support for years. This function is among its top six functions. To enhance the effects of above ingredients, Kangcare are now developing formulations by combing diffferent ingredients, this drew wide attention at Vitafoods and HIC.
