Folic acid

Photo Courtesy: American Pregnancy Association

In 1988 folic acid was added to bread, pasta, cereal, cookies and crackers as required by federal law. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B, to be specific vitamin B9.

Folic acid can be easily found in natural foods such as – leafy vegetables, okra, beans, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, broccoli, tomato juice, orange juice, eggs, animal liver and kidney.

Folic acid deficiencies include – extreme tiredness, lack of energy, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness, heart problems, psychological problems such as depression, confusion and neural tube defects.

CDC implores women to consume 400 mcg of folic acid for those considering reproduction in order to prevent birth defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida.

A research study finds that folic acid reduces incidents of neural tube defects in infants.

Make wise choices and have a balanced diet! 💚

Rewire Your Brain from Complaining to Compassion

Photo Courtesy: Celine Sayuri Tagami

Remember a day when you just got frustrated with anything to anyone. It could be something at work that engages you for hours and you come home with thoughts that just makes you feel irritatable.

We all have days which aren’t just as sunny. But while I say that it’s important to not forget that all days aren’t rainy either. It’s just like a spectrum which has variations and of course variables.

You will be surprised to know that too much complaining has a negative impact. The more you practice it the more your brain gets rewired. A research from Standford University has shown that — complaining shrinks the hippocampus. Hippocampus is the area of brain that is responsible for critical thinking, learning and memory. 🧠

Here are 2 ways and you can choose either:

1. Shift your perspective towards things you are grateful for because complaining won’t get you anywhere either. Complaining sometimes leads to release of cortisol, too much release of cortisol is not good on a long term. So, try to cultivate an attitude that helps you.

2. Complain but with a solution-orientation. Think about why you are complaining and how can it be resolved. Try to identify the purpose, what are the different ways of looking at it and what are the ways to get over it. Obviously, it’s not a day thing but try a constructive manner.

And lastly, excess of anything always results in danger☠️. When you see yourself engaging in complaining, remind yourself to stop and break the wiring.

Have a wonderful week! 🌻

Music Can Improve Mental Health

Photo Courtesy: Avi Naim

Music can make anyone feel better. Whether it is playing a music in the background while working or while taking a tea break. There is a personal preference for the choice of music. Sometimes you may like hip hop, rock, jazz, country or indie.

The good part is that music acts positively on your mental health. Research shows that music can improve mental conditions such as depression, trauma, anxiety and more. It helps individuals process his/her emotions. Besides, acts as calming agents and improve in management of symptoms.

Weekends are a good way to utilize time and listening to your favorites. Here are some of my favorites from YouTube:

1. April 2022 Indie Folk

2. Zariya

3. Landslide

4. Chaand baaliyan

5. Blue jeans

Hoping that you all have a musical weekend! 🎶

Fruits & Veggies for Mental Health

Photo Courtesy: Ja Ma

The role of having a balanced diet is much more than what you think and natural supplements like vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrients that helps in making you mentally healthy.

Here are 3 scientifically proven fruits and veggies facts:

1. Consuming berries might be associated with high level of optimism.

2. Citrus and green leafy vegetables reduces psychological distress, ambiguity and cancer.

3. Carrots, bananas, apples, spinach, grapefruit, lettuce, cucumber, and kiwifruit reduces depressive symptoms and promotes positive mood.

Vegetables and fruits contains important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

Eat healthy! Stay healthy!

🍊🥦🍒🥬🍍🥒🍏🍌🥑🥭🥥🥕🫑

Blood Tests for Examining Stress and Psychological Issues

Photo Courtesy: Hush Naidoo Jade Photography

Blood holds ample information and insight into not only our physiological but psychological status as well.

Using blood tests in measuring psychological issues can help the clinicians in better understanding your concerns as well as give relevant details as well as plan treatment accordingly.

3 best blood tests which are well-validated in clinical diagnosis and stress-reactive induced both psychological and physiological disorders are:

1. Hormone —testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, thyroid and cortisol.

2. Cytokine Panel —IL-1, IL-6, TNF-A

3. White Blood Count including c-reactive protein panels.

It’s always a good idea to have an early diagnosis which is not just based on one mode but is comprehensive to have a better treatment plan and rule out possible medical conditions.