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It may seem odd to talk about vitamins for stress but if there is one common element to us all it is the stress of daily life in the 21st century. Job stress, family dealings, children problems, boss issues, church, family, ridiculous government actions, excessive taxation...we could go on and on, couldn't we! Stress does affect our health -- we've certainly seen it in our own lives. In addition, as we age, we become even more vulnerable to the effects of emotional and physical stress.
Studies, in fact, prove that stress not only leeches vitamins and minerals from the body, but it can aggravate preexisting health conditions and even create health problems -- again, something we can personally testify to.
Now, perhaps, you can see why taking vitamins for stress is so important to your emotional health for stress does exhaust our natural defenses that activate stress hormones thus depleting nutrient energy reserves. However, there are vitamins for stress that actually restore equilibrium and allow us to cope. Let's talk about those now.
So, what vitamins do you need to counteract emotional stress? Experts say that the entire range of B vitamins are vital, including B6, B2, biotin, folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, etc. Why is this so? Answer: Because the B vitamin complex counteracts fatigue brought on by stress and because the nervous and immune systems require a lot of B vitamins for proper function.
Biotin, for example, helps the body metabolize protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It is especially helpful during times of stress as it helps the body use glucose (blood sugar), promoting emotional equilibrium. In addition, with folic acid, research shows it may help depression -- a symptom of stress.
Other Nutrients
Besides vitamins, you need other nutrients that have been shown useful during times of stress, vitamin C as it supports the immune system during stress. Zinc as it too supports the immune system. Lysine, a amino acid, is useful as its anti viral power helps prevent cold sore and other virus replication -- signs of stress.
Another mineral is magnesium as it helps muscles to relax, something very useful during times of stress. One other thing you should consider is this: Look to specialty or trace nutrients as well as vitamins during stress as there are many specialty nutrients that have even greater impact than do vitamins and minerals. For example, an herbal like Gotu Kola has been shown to be able to soothe anxiety.
Among its many therapeutic benefits, Gingko Biloba as well has been shown to aid mental function, thus easing depression symptoms and the consequent anxiety. The amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine are beneficial as they help bolster the nervous system. Remember, vitamins are not to be viewed singly but as a whole for they truly are interdependent in their working in the body.
The more complementary and broad the vitamin supplement you're taking, the better its effects as it provides cross-functionality and synergistic support to the other vitamins. Alpha lipoic acid, for example, though little known, it helps improve the function of vitamins in the body but it's also a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing free radical damage that flourish during stress.
Don't forget about green tea extract -- it too is a powerful antioxidant, helping as well to soothe frayed nerves.
Precautions
As always, pregnant and/or nursing women should be cautions when embarking upon a new vitamin supplement plan. We advise you consult your doctor first. If you are taking prescription medications you could ingest a supplement that has, for example, a herbal extract that amplifies the effect of the drug.
How To Choose Vitamins for Stress
1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.)
Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!
2. Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label. 3. Ideally, make sure the supplement does not contain any fillers or additives such as sucrose (sugar), starch, gluten, silica (sand) or any other artificial colors, dyes, or flavors.
4. When selecting vitamins for stress, make sure it has the full complement of vitamins and minerals as outlined above -- especially the B complex of vitamins.
5. When multivitamin supplements have herbs, look for standardized herbal extracts. This preserves the active ingredients of the herbs, preserving its therapeutic capability.
Closing
I've been using an enterically coated vitamin supplement that has multi-vitamins for emotional stress and it also fulfills so many other needed health issues. I've felt the difference and now you know what to look for too.
About The Author:
Glenn Reschke is the webmaster of Cayenne Pepper and Heart Health Info, Nutritional Supplement Info, and Bee Pollen Supplements.
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