Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Foods Mood Link: PEA Supports Happy Moods

You are what you eat.

At least that's how the old saying goes ... and it turns out to be true. What you put into your body has a lot to do with how you feel, how well you learn, and how well you adapt to the stresses and strains of life.

PEA and the Foods Mood Link

PEA, which is short for phenylethylamine, is a great example of the foods mood link. PEA is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is linked to energy, mood, and attention.

If your body doesn't have enough PEA, then you may find it more difficult to:
  • learn new things
  • make quick decisions
  • form new memories
  • be in a good mood
  • find pleasure in life
  • stick to a diet
Are you beginning to see the foods mood link here? PEA is a vital part of your brain function and is responsible for feelings of pleasure as well as mental acuity. In one study, adding 10-60 mg per day decreased depression symptoms in study participants by 60%. In another study, PEA was shown to elevate mood and increase the quality of life. Sounds like pretty good stuff.

Foods High in PEA
While your body can and does make its own PEA, from the amino acid phenylalanine, sometimes your body can't keep up. That's why supplementing your body's natural reserves of PEA with foods high in this substance can really help support your mood and mental sharpness. Thus the foods mood link.

According to the Natural Research Council of Canada, two foods are quite high in PEA: AFA blue-green algae and cheddar cheese. Both of these foods contain about the same amount of PEA. AFA blue-green algae contains 0.15% PEA by dry weight.

Another food reportedly high in PEA, chocolate, has less than 10% of the PEA as compared to the blue-green algae or cheddar cheese. So, if you really want to follow the foods mood link and support your mood with food, go with AFA blue-green algae and cheddar cheese (though probably not at the same time!).

The good thing about eating blue-green algae is that in addition to significant levels of PEA, the algae is also rich in many vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals that our bodies need to function properly. So popping some capsules of AFA blue-green algae not only supports your mood, but also supports your body in ways that you may not even be aware of.

So take blue-green algae, add some cheddar cheese to your burrito, and you should be good to go in terms of PEA and the foods mood link!

Most of all, enjoy eating and enjoy life!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products at wholesale prices on our website.