“Limiting sugar, eating traditionally fermented foods, and taking a probiotic supplement are among the best ways to optimize your gut flora and support your brain health and normalize your mood.”

– Dr. Mercola

Colder, darker, more sedentary, and punctuated with holiday fanfare — the winter months can be a challenging time of year. Mood disturbances surge in the winter and may involve many factors. Whether due to distressing circumstances, gut imbalances of probiotics, genetic predisposition, long-term sleep issues, or chronic stress, there are many ways to naturally support positive mood.

These five supplements have pushed to the front row in importance for mood management:

PROBIOTICS. We now know that imbalances in the gut can impact your mental health and lead to issues like anxiety and depression. The bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms that comprise your microbiome outnumber your cells 10 to 1 and taken together they weigh as much as six pounds. Many are referring to this microbiome as an organ, and one that is more vitally important to health than previously thought.

VITAMIN D is vital for maintaining mental health. Supplementation of a minimum of 5,000 IU of vitamin D is especially crucial in the winter.

B-COMPLEX is known as the “stress vitamin”. Being water soluble, B complex needs to be taken daily. Many food sources are destroyed by heat when cooking.

OMEGA-3 supplements may allow the “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin to pass through cell membranes more easily and function more effectively. Dosages typically start at 3 grams daily for mood support.

MAGNESIUM deficiency is common. Sugar, caffeine, certain medications, and stress cause this important “stress mineral” to be excreted. An intake of 400 mg daily will enable your body to carry out numerous processes and support positive mood.