Psychotropic drugs have long been considered the accepted, mainstream course of treatment for mood and mental health disorders—and in many cases—may still be considered the only viable option.

However, while anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications have been shown in many cases to provide short term relief of symptoms, a growing body of research shows that they can have negative side-effects and may not provide long-term relief.

Alternative Option to Psychiatric Drugs

_{Dr. Julia Rucklidge, University of Canterbury researcher explains the correlation between prescription medication and increased rates of mental illness.}

Now, over 20 years of independent research conducted at 19 universities worldwide have demonstrated that broad-spectrum micronutrients are a safe and effective alternative to drugs for the treatment of a wide range of mood and mental health disorders.  

Most recently, Hardy Nutritionals^® Daily Essential Nutrients was studied in the first ever fully-blind placebo controlled university trial for pediatric ADHD.  The independently funded study yielded ground-breaking results wherein researchers reported that Daily Essential Nutrients dramatically improved emotional regulation and aggression in children with ADHD.

Over 40 more independent university studies have shown that broad-spectrum micronutrients can be effectively used to treat ADHD, as well as other mental health and mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and PTSD.

In contrast to chemical symptom management, micronutrients aim to treat core underlying deficiencies, providing the body with essential elements in a highly bioavailable format which are central to every metabolic process.

_{Dr. Scott Shannon, Integrative Psychiatrist shares his experience using micronutrients with patients for mood and mental health.}

Simply put, broad-spectrum micronutrients provide high quality essential nutrients the brain and body need to function optimally, as a highly absorbable blend. 

Psychiatry and Micronutrients

The recently published American Psychiatric Association textbook  "Complementary and Integrative Treatments in Psychiatric Practice", highlights micronutrients as a “physiologically sensible approach” to treating mood and mental health disorders.

Citing multiple third-party funded university studies, the authors wrote, "...broad-spectrum micronutrients and psychiatric medications appear comparable in both antidepressant and anti-manic effects, but the micronutrients had far fewer and less severe side effects and much lower relapse rates.  Compared with conventional psychotropics, patients stabilized on broad-spectrum micronutrients have fewer residual symptoms and mood fluctuations, fewer necessary dose changes, less need for monthly medication checks, rare hospitalizations, and lower treatment costs. (Kaplan et al. 2017; Rodway et al. 2012)

Not All Multivitamin Mineral Supplements Are Created Equal

The levels of vitamins and minerals found in clinical micronutrient supplements are not easily replicated.  In fact, the specific ingredients at the levels supported by the published research would cost over $400 to DIY at the supplement store.

At a TEDx event, Dr. Julia Rucklidge, clinical psychologist had this to say about clinical supplements compared to store-bought multivitamin products:

"When I say micronutrients, I am actually referring to a dose higher than what you'd get out of a vitamin pill purchased at the supermarket...it would be unlikely that if you went and got an over the counter supplement, [that] you would see these positive benefits, both because the dose is lower and the breadth of nutrients is lower."

Why Not Just Eat Better?

While a healthy diet is an important part of living well, even the best diets have been shown to lack essential nutrients.  Further, science has shown that individuals at risk for mental health disorders have higher nutrient needs than those not at risk.  This creates a need for supplementation. (Ames, 2000).

For example, a person would have to consume pounds of vegetables and fruits per day in order to achieve the clinical levels of vitamins and minerals found in Daily Essential Nutrients.  Even still, quite a few essential elements would be missing.

For those who have higher nutrient needs, the broad-spectrum clinical micronutrients found in Daily Essential Nutrients are a viable, first-line of defense option when it comes to mood and mental health.  Available in capsules or powder, Daily Essential Nutrients is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.

About Hardy Nutritionals®

Hardy Nutritionals® multivitamin-mineral products are powered by our proprietary NutraTek™ mineral delivery technology, which combines each mineral with specialized organic molecules—just like nature—to optimize absorption and distribution to body cells. Our flagship supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients, is widely considered to be the most research-backed micronutrient treatment.