Vitamin D

Vitamin D should be an important part of your diet and daily supplements. Vitamin D is important for many body functions, and its deficiency is linked to all sorts of diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Vitamin D has been linked to obesity, and although the connection isn't totally clear, one study showed that patients with adequate Vitamin D lost .5 lbs more than patients with inadequate Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D, in conjunction with calcium and sunlight, helps to properly assimilate food and regulate normal blood sugar levels.

What you can do:
1. Take a supplement. The current RDI is 600iu.
2. Get out in the sun. In the summer, 15 minutes of mid-day sun exposure will provide the recommended value.
3. Eat foods high in Vitamin D.
4. Get tested. Ask Dr. Crockett if he recommends a Vit D test to be added to your blood work. If your levels are low, he may want you to take a high dose Vit D prescription.

Your mood and your diet

What you eat has a powerful effect on your mood. If you suffer from depression, it's a good idea to pay special attention to what you eat. Beyond treatment that may be suggested by your primary care doctor, you may be able to life your mood by changing your eating habits. Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and eat small meals several times a day centered around high-complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthful fats to ensure a steady supply of nutrients that help to keep blood-sugar levels balanced. Protein-rich foods such as chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, eggs, lentils, almonds, and yogurt are particularly important for overcoming depression because they are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks for mood-elevating neurotransmitters.

Essential fatty acids are another important nutrient for alleviating depression because they play a critical role in maintaining healthy cell membranes, which are involved in the synthesis and transmission of neurotransmitters. Depression is associated with low levels of essential fatty acids, so be sure to eat adequate amounts of fish, nuts, and seeds that contain omega-3 fatty acids and gamma linolenic acid.