Experts agree that there is rarely one single cause for mental health issues. Rather, ailments such as depression and anxiety are typically triggered by a combination of phenomena — genetics, lifestyle, and stress level, for example. Given the various factors that can contribute to poor mental health, it makes sense that a successful treatment plan would incorporate several elements. Indeed, while solutions such as talk therapy can certainly be enough, they are rarely a sufficient solution when used in isolation.
Wellevate was introduced in 2015 to help people struggling with mental health and complement their treatment plan with high-quality supplements. If you are looking for holistic treatment options for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or insomnia, integrating Wellevate supplements into your regimen can provide relief from your symptoms.
Understanding Holistic Mental Health
Holistic mental health is centered around the idea that treatment should incorporate a person’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. Rather than solely addressing mental health symptoms, for example, a holistic treatment plan accounts for how the following factors may impact your well-being.
The Importance of Lifestyle
Lifestyle is an undeniably vital factor in a person’s mental health. Research confirms that there is a correlation between weight and wellbeing, and your exercise habits can also affect ailments such as depression. One of the most important components of your lifestyle for mental health, though, is your diet. In addition to its impact on your weight, your diet determines the nutrients that you consume on a daily basis. This is particularly important given the fact that certain nutritional deficiencies — including the following — are linked to higher rates of mental illness:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Minerals
- Amino acids
- B vitamins
These nutrients may support the function of neurotransmitters in the brain, which would explain why they are often lacking in people experiencing mental illness. If your diet isn’t supplying you with sufficient levels of these nutrients, you may need additional support.
Getting the Nutrients You Need
Foods such as fish, eggs, and leafy greens are fantastic sources of the aforementioned nutrients. Even if you generally eat well and make efforts to incorporate all five food groups, though, you may struggle to reach your nutritional goals every day. Luckily, there are other ways to get the nutrients you need. Supplements are an effective way to fill the gaps in your diet and ensure that you’re nourishing your body and your mind. They’re typically made in an easy-to-swallow tablet that you can work into your daily routine. This can alleviate the stress of restricting your diet to specific foods, and it can also provide long-term benefits to your overall health and well-being.
Types of Mental Health Supplements
There are many different types of supplements that may offer benefits to your mental health. These supplements are typically divided into three categories — nutrients, botanicals, and hormones — each of which offers its own unique set of benefits.
Nutrients
Nutrients are one of the most commonly used types of supplements. They may also be called orthomolecular medicine or nutraceuticals, and they are divided into two categories — macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients such as fat, protein, and carbohydrates are essential to giving your body energy and maintaining its systems. Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, help support your body’s immune system and muscle development. Research suggests that both macronutrients and micronutrients have a major impact on your mental health.
Botanicals
Botanicals are also sometimes referred to as herbal medicine or phytotherapy. Botanical supplements are compounds that are derived from plants that may have therapeutic properties. History indicates that humans have used botanical therapies for centuries, and indeed, they remain an important part of modern medicine. Research suggests that neuroactive botanical compounds can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety while also improving mood stability and stress levels.
Hormones
In addition to their use in phytotherapy treatments, some plant extracts can be used to mimic the chemical structure of hormones found within the human body. These extracts are bioidentical to the compounds that the body naturally produces, and they can be used to treat hormonal imbalances, which may ultimately impact a person’s mental health. Although many hormonal supplements are readily available online, many adverse outcomes have been linked to misuse. It’s important to partner with a qualified practitioner if you believe that hormonal therapy is right for you.
See How Supplements Can Help
Although many pharmaceutical treatments can improve mental health, finding the right medication is often a process of trial and error. There are many other reasons why pharmaceuticals may not be the right path, too, including medication allergies or contraindications with other drugs. Supplements offer an effective alternative that can help you address mental health problems from a holistic perspective. Find out what you need to do to integrate supplements into your plan for mental health care in Nashville.
Partner With a Psychiatric Provider
Finding a compassionate and competent mental health provider is the gateway to an effective treatment plan. It’s especially important, too, when your treatment plan includes supplements. Much like pharmaceutical drugs, supplements carry the risk of negative outcomes and unwanted side effects if they are not carefully managed and closely monitored. You need to partner with a psychiatric provider in Nashville who will help you find the supplemental regimen that’s most appropriate for your unique mental health concerns.
Develop an Integrative Treatment Plan
Starting a new supplement isn’t a one-and-done solution. Rather, it should be part of an integrative treatment plan that addresses your struggles in multiple ways. In addition to starting a supplement, for example, your mental health provider in Nashville may suggest some lifestyle changes or coping mechanisms that you can adopt that will help you achieve better results. By addressing your mental health as part of your whole health, an integrative treatment plan can also produce improvements in your energy levels, stress management, and a general sense of well-being.
Invest in Therapy
In many cases, therapy is also a recommended component of an integrative treatment plan. Indeed, research confirms that most people see benefits to their mental health from attending therapy, and it can be a great tool for further exploring the root causes of your issues. If you are looking for a therapist who can complement your mental health treatment in Nashville, you can ask your psychiatric provider for referrals.
Why Wellevate Works
Wellevate has emerged as the premium provider for mental health supplements in the U.S. In conjunction with Fullscript, the brand allows supplements to be delivered straight to your door. Based on recommendations that come directly from your mental health care provider. Several features set Wellevate apart from other supplement dispensaries and ensure that you can enjoy the effective treatment.
Reliable Quality Control Protocols
One of the biggest concerns facing the supplement market is the vast disparity in quality control standards. As of 2007, all manufacturers in the U.S. must comply with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices that are mandated by the Food and Drug Administration. These regulations are primarily concerned with labeling and packaging, though, which may allow quality control issues to persist. Some of the most pressing problems include:
- Contamination
- Insufficient sterilization
- Unsafe production environment
- Inconsistent dosages
Wellevate has eliminated these concerns by voluntarily implementing some of the most stringent manufacturing standards found in the supplement industry.
Ingredients Derived From the Best Sources
The source of a supplement is yet another important component of its quality. Some supplements are naturally derived, for example, while others are synthetically produced. This difference can make a major difference in the quality and efficacy of the supplement. Iron, for example, can come in three different forms — ferrous fumarate, ferrous bisglycinate, or heme iron.
Ferrous fumarate, in its natural form, is derived from mushrooms or moss. Most supplements produce it synthetically, though, using malic acid. Ferrous bisglycinate is chemically manufactured to be more easily absorbed than ferrous fumarate, but it is also more expensive. Heme iron is naturally sourced from the myoglobin and hemoglobin found in animal tissues. It is the most expensive but also the most absorptive — and thus the most effective. Rather than sourcing ingredients based solely on the cost, Wellevate derives its supplements from the highest-quality sources available.
Completely Customized Treatment Plans
Perhaps the greatest benefit of Wellevate is the level of customization that users can enjoy. Just like any other type of treatment, supplements are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and achieving the right balance is essential. With collaboration from your mental heath care provider in Nashville, you can develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.
Invest in Your Mental Health With Wellevate
Wellevate is one of the most exciting innovations in mental health treatment. If you want to seek treatment for depression, insomnia, or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder — but you want an alternative to pharmaceuticals — supplements may be the best option for your needs. Rose Behavioral Health serves clients throughout Tennessee, including areas such as Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Clarksville. Take advantage of convenient telehealth appointments and affordable psychiatric services by scheduling an appointment with one of our providers.