Behind Cognitive Function and Mood Regulation

According to the CDC, taking care of yourself and your body by eating well and getting enough sleep are healthy ways to cope with stress.¹ Nutrition, and the nutrients within our diet, play important roles in overall cognitive function and help support the regulation of our mood.

What we experience as our daily mood relies on a complex system of neurotransmitters for the regulation of normal brain function. Our brain, and the neurotransmitters it relies on, are often made in part from, or their function is aided by, nutrients such as Choline, Iron, and Magnesium.

Let’s explore these nutrients, how they work to support cognitive function and mood, and ways we can get more of them in our diet.

Newest Nutrient – Choline

Choline is the most recently established essential nutrient in the United States, having been recognized as essential in 1998 by the Institute of Medicine.² One of choline’s primary roles in the body is to serve as a precursor for acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that aids in:

Brain and nervous system functions
Muscle control
Memory
The regulation of mood

Despite its importance, just 11% of Americans get enough choline in their diet. ³

Iron’s Importance

Iron is an essential nutrient that helps to carry oxygen in the body – making it necessary for neurological development and cellular function. Iron deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood can cause lasting consequences on cognitive function⁴ and behavior.⁵ Sadly, iron deficiency is more common than we might appreciate –

More than 8 in 10 pregnant women in the United States do not get enough iron in their diet from foods and beverages alone⁶
Nearly 7% of children aged 1-5y in the US – over 1.3 million kids – are estimated to be iron deficient⁷

Recent data shows that 1 in 5 women in the US are iron deficient⁸

Iron’s essential role in supporting healthy cognitive function and behavior* are key aspects of nutrition to help support a healthy lifestyle*.

Mighty Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that aids in multiple functions in the body, from supporting muscle and nerve function to blood pressure regulation.⁹ Sometimes referred to as “nature’s physiological calcium channel blocker”, Magnesium works as an antagonist to calcium, helping muscle cells to relax.¹⁰ There are multiple benefits to magnesium supplementation, but one noteworthy example is that a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed that magnesium supplementation has been shown to help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep (known as “sleep onset latency”) in otherwise healthy adults.¹¹

Maintaining Magnesium

Magnesium is involved with maintaining a healthy mood*, and indeed Magnesium deficiency can lead to “personality changes”.¹² The prevalence of Magnesium deficiency in the United States is largely unknown, as there are many methodological challenges with assessing magnesium status.¹³ However, nationally representative surveys show that roughly half (48%) of all Americans do not get enough Magnesium in their diets from food and beverages alone.¹⁴ Older adults are especially at risk of Magnesium inadequacy, due to a combination of:

Lower dietary intake
A higher prevalence of chronic disease
The use of specific medications which can increase the risk of Magnesium depletion¹⁵

Discover Nutrient Solutions

Balchem offers multiple options for brands looking to provide innovative nutritional products to help consumers support a healthy mood* — from our award-winning¹⁶ VitaCholine¹⁷ to our family of Albion Minerals¹⁸ — we have options to help you across multiple application formats and business segments.

Contact us today to let us help you innovate, grow, and help your consumers lead healthier lives!

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

We provide members of the public with general information about diet, health, and nutrition based on our understanding of the latest science. This information should not be considered as advice and is not meant to be a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. You should always consult with your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider if you are considering making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, or nutrition.