I love when darkness sets in early during the cooler time of the year as it provides an excuse to slow down and spend more time in the internal space. Yet with the darkness often comes low mood.
Seasonal Affective Disorder affects many people during the winter months. Besides getting outside, moving the body, and creating daily life enhancing rituals, we can use food to uplift our mood.
Omega 3 an essential fatty acid is a huge component of that process. In the past our ancestors use to have a ratio of 1-1 between omega 3 and omega 6 oils in their diet. In the standard American diet omega 6's h ave taken the lead at about 20-1.
As a result we are seeing increased inflammation, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. As for mood, our brain tissue is composed of 60% omega 3, so making sure enough is present eases symptoms of depression.
In the nutrition world there is much talk of Omega 3 but what is often left out is the distinction between three types of essential fatty acids.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are the two types of EFA's that are used in the body. Many vegetarian sources of Omega 3's contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), potent on its own, but also needs to be converted to EPA and DHA in the body.
The problem is that not everyone is great at making this conversion, so bio-individualism comes in to play, some will do better than others. For vegans algae is a non-animal source of full spectrum Omeg a 3's so it is vital to supplement.
If you are not vegan, get your omegas from cold water fish (wild salmon , pacific cod, sardines, anchovies), and Omega 3 eggs. Other sources of vegetarian ALA (which need to be converted to EPA & DHA) include flaxseeds, hemp, walnuts, and green leafy veggies.
If you are wanting to explore a more therapeutic dose (to ease arthritis, support cardiovascular health, ensure prenatal health, and prevent Alzheimer's/dementia) or don't eat enough fish, explore these high quality fish oils.
Note the two above use animal gelatin capsules. If you are a pesceterian and do not consume chicken or beef the products below use fish gelatin for their capsules.
This winter don't allow low mood to take over your days, support your body for vitality from the inside out!