☀️ VITAMIN D & SAM-e . The National Institute of Health points out that your body can manufacture vitamin D-3, a potent form of the nutrient, in specialized cells in the skin. This occurs following exposure to sunshine. Although foods such as oily fish and eggs contain small amounts of vitamin D-3 also, this system operates as your primary source of vitamin D. As a result, your vitamin D levels likely fall significantly during the winter months when the sunshine becomes too week to produce the nutrient at the skin. At this time, rates of depression tend to rise. . The Vitamin D Council carefully outlines that, while vitamin D has consistently helped individuals suffering from seasonal depression in experiments, it may not work so well in more serious cases. It explains that more research must be conducted before it can lay down more solid guidelines on dosages for countering seasonal blues, but suggest that 5,000 international units per day represents a sensible choice to boost mood, immune function and metabolic rate during the winter months. ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ S-adenosylmethionine, or SAM-e, has been used for the treatment of depression for over three decades. It is known as the drug Ademetionine in Europe, where it is available by prescription only. Despite its established efficacy and long history of use, its mechanism of action is not well-understood. SAM-e is known to play an important role in several crucial chemical pathways within the body, which together may be responsible for its many therapeutic effects. SAM-e’s promotion of one of these pathways may increase the level of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. By increasing serotonin levels, SAM-e is believed to promote a feeling of well-being. Increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels, however, may produce feelings of increased energy and motivation. ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ I didn’t feel like bringing the whole supplement apothecary, but this should be enough for some minimal maintenance while out of town.