Season affective disorder or winter depression, also referred to as "SAD" or "winter blues," is a form of depression that occurs during the winter season, according to MayoClinic.com. The condition tends to decrease your energy and contributes to mood swings. Treatment for season affective disorder includes medications or light therapy. However, you can also consume a selection of foods that help to combat winter depression if you wish to take more of a natural approach for treatment.
Chicken
Good dietary sources of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine include foods such as chicken, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can also find vitamin B6 in foods that include wheat germ, brown rich, spinach or sunflower seeds. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in serotonin production. Low levels of serotonin are associated with some symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, such as depression, according to "Mens Health." An imbalance of serotonin can cause mood swings. Vitamin B6 may be able to help reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, however more research is needed in this area.
Fish
Fish contains high sources of vitamin B12 or cobalamin. You can also find it in foods such as shell fish, dairy products and organ meats, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A 2004 issue of "Men's Health" explains that vitamin B12 helps to control some symptoms related to seasonal affective disorder, such as anxiety, depression and loss of energy.
Peanuts
Peanuts are a rich source of vitamin B3 or niacin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other foods include brewers yeast, beef kidney, beets, tuna and swordfish. Vitamin B3 assists in improving blood circulation and also stimulates the production of serotonin. Vitamin B3 can help to treat symptoms associated seasonal affective disorder, such as oversleeping and loss of energy, according to "Mens Health."
References
- "Mens Health" magazine; September 2004 Edition; Men with Seasonal Affective Disorder -- Treatment and Causes;
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B12
- MayoClinic.com: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B6
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3
