Vitamins for Stress Relief
You only need to turn on the TV or read the front pages of the local paper to know that stress is a part of life. Even the World Health Organization concludes that stress has become a "global epidemic". Unrelenting schedules, constant financial concerns, traffic jams or any other annoyances or frustrations have the potential to activate your stress response. This can mean that your body is constantly on the alert which can lead to inadequate supply of vitamins for stress. Why vitamins are important to cope with stressIf you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out then you could be depleting your body of important stress vitamins. When stressed body produces the stress hormone cortisol – which requires vitamins for its synthesis. Secondly the stress response means that fats and carbohydrates have been released into the blood stream – and vitamins C and B-complex are needed to break these down. An inadequate supply of these vitamins can lead to anxiety and increased fatigue and frustration. Your Guide to Vitamins for stressVitamins can be broadly classed into water soluble vitamins (Vitamins B and C) and fat soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, and K)
Vitamin B aids the central nervous system, keeping the central nervous system functioning smoothly. When stressed the central nervous system is the alert – and this can deplete your body’s store of Vitamin B. A depletion of Vitamin B, especially vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12, may result in fatigue, anxiety, and increased irritability. Important sources of Vitamin B complex include: green leafy vegetables, cereals, fish and liver. If you decide to take Vitamin B in a Vitamin B-complex supplement it is best to take together as they appear to work synergistically.
When stressed your body produces more free radicals. Since Vitamin C is a antioxidant vitamin can help to protect your body against free radical damage and can boost your immune system during stressful times. In addition to being an antioxidant, Vitamin C aids the immune system and promotes healing from infection or injury. Vitamin C also plays a role in supporting the adrenal glands – whose proper functioning is important to cope with stress. When you encounter periods of unrelenting stress, Vitamin C is depleted from your body. This in turn reduces your ability to cope with stress, thus creating an increasingly cycle of more stress. Important sources of Vitamin C include: broccoli, green or red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries to name a few. If you decide to take a Vitamin C supplement it is best to take it with meals as this will help to break down and assimilate the vitamin.
Calcium is involved in the transmission of nerve signals between cells. The depletion of calcium can lead to overactive nerve cells – which may be an underlying physiological basis for stress and anxiety. Daily requirements are for 1,000mg of calcium per day. This can come from foods that are rich in calcium, such as eggs and other dairy products, leafy vegetables or by taking calcium supplements. If taking calcium supplements take with magnesium, as these two minerals work together. Stress can influence calcium absorption in the intestines. This can be of concern for people who are prone to osteoporosis. To prevent osteoporosis research suggests that a viable long-term strategy is to ensure your diet is rich in calcium, that you partake in regular exercise and have good stress management skills. Can you overdose on vitamins for stress.It is difficult to overdose on Vitamin B complex as they are water soluble and any excesses are excreted from the body. The one exception is Vitamin B6. Generally Vitamin C doses are harmless and is a good hedge for colds and and the flu. However, there is evidence that high quantities of Vitamin C may cause renal stones. However the fat soluble vitamins tend to accumulate in the body which can lead to a disorder called hypervitaminosis. Please see your local medical professional for advice on the right quantities of vitamins for you. Other natural stress relief strategiesGenerally with a balanced diet, and no pre-existing medical conditions, you should get all the needed vitamins for stress. Here we look at some natural stress relief strategies and some of the things that you can do to ensure that you have an adequate level of nutrients to deal with stress.
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