Bloodwork for optimal well-being
Over the past 10 years as a dedicated mental health professional, I've learned that the intricate link between the body and mind is incredibly complicated. To truly achieve overall wellness, mental health must be considered by all professionals in the healthcare field, including both doctors and naturopaths. However, professionals can sometimes work in silos, which can lead to significant gaps in understanding the unique needs of individuals. One important but frequently overlooked factor is the delicate balance of vitamins and minerals in our bodies. A lack of essential nutrients can result in serious mood problems and cognitive issues that can affect daily life and overall well-being. I ask my clients to get their bloodwork checked by their doctor for this reason in their very first session.
But, you may ask, why is it so important and more specifically why does it matter for mental health. Let’s take a look at some of the most common vitamins our body needs and how it can impact mental health.
Vitamin B12 and Iron are often commonly tested for by doctors when individuals start to feel tired. But, those aren’t the only impacts of low Vitamin B12 and Iron. Iron is critical in the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also crucial in the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Serotonin and dopamine, important mood regulating chemicals in the body, require a lot of oxygen in their production. Without the hemoglobin, there is less oxygen, resulting in less mood regulating super chemicals. This can lead to low mood, anxiety, memory changes, confusion, and even more serious hallucinations, psychosis and dementia. Interesting enough, different countries have different low level criteria with Canada being on one of the lower ends. So, it would be advisable to keep these levels at the higher limits of normal in your blood work.
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is often difficult to soak up living in Canada. Although it can be obtained through some food sources, skin and sun contact is the most important Vitamin D source we have. According to Stats Can though, the levels of Vitamin D deficiency may be over 40% in winter. And, as researchers continue to investigate the importance of this vitamin, there is indication that it plays an important role in dementia, depression, illness and even executive functioning. Those are some pretty serious consequences if you ask me.
Minerals like magnesium and zinc are equally important. Magnesium Glycinate has a calming effect and can even enhance sleep and reduce inflammation in the body. Zinc is another mineral that is pivotal in neurogenesis and maintaining brain function, including the production of GABA. Insufficient zinc levels can lead to increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and is even suspected of playing a role in Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for brain health and can be found in most commonly in fish. A deficiency in omega-3s has been associated with an increased risk of depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia, dementia and a host of other mental health challenges.
If you’ve read this far, you can tell how important balanced bloodwork is for mental health and well-being. Without it, no amount of therapy or medication will resolve the root cause of your declining mental health. It’s so important to maintain a balanced diet, incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins. And, without appropriate blood work, it would be hard to tell how well your body is absorbing the nutrients required. So take a moment, see your doctor, and get pricked!
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, check out This is Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo, MD.