Anyone who has bouts of temporary or chronic anxiety is not alone. Millions of people suffer from anxiety, due to either situational, physical, physiological or mental health challenges. Some people deal with their anxiety as best they can, on their own, others see a doctor, who might prescribe a drug such as Valium, Xanax or an anti-depressant. These drugs might do well at reducing the more immediate feelings that are related to anxiety.
Depending on one’s health insurance, these drugs can be expensive if there is a need to take them long-term. They can often cause some frustrating side effects, too. Some anxiety medications even have the potential to lead to addiction. Thankfully, medications aren’t the only way to fight back against anxiety. There are also a few vitamins that can help support the body in fighting the stress response naturally.
B Vitamins – 6 Different Varieties
There are many kinds of B vitamins that are necessary to keep the body’s fight or flight response working properly, be sure to get healthy levels of the following vitamins:
- B1 aka Thiamin, improves memory and mood.
- B3 aka Niacin, helps the body’s natural production of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that is necessary for mental stability.
- B5 aka Pantothenic acid, helps to maintain the balance and harmony of our neurotransmitters and it is needed for making blood cells and helping to convert the food we eat into energy.
- B6 aka Pyridoxine, can reduce symptoms that are related to anxiety.
- B9 aka Folic acid, may reduce the risk for depressive disorders.
- B12 aka Cyanocobalamin, a deficiency in B12 can lead to a host of issues ranging from anxiety and panic to depression and hallucinations.
B vitamins can be found in food sources that include meat, cereal, poultry, fish, beans, and green peas. Keep in mind to stay in the daily recommendations for the B vitamins, as they can become toxic at very high levels when taken as supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that assists in the transportation of oxygen to the brain. A brain that gets the proper amount of oxygen is more alert and healthier in general, and less prone to anxiety or stress episodes. It is found in nuts, some oils, lettuce, and cabbage. It is always best to get E vitamins through food sources, but if taken via supplements, it is best not to exceed the daily recommendations.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports not only the building blocks in the body and the immune system, but also promotes a healthy fight or flight response. In large doses, it can even have a calming effect. This vitamin can be found in oranges, grapefruit, lemons, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, and cabbage. Unlike many B or E vitamins, one can exceed the daily recommendations of this vitamin with few issues.
So, when we power our bodies with vitamins we can support healthy stress levels naturally. This can potentially lower or eliminate the amount of medications needed to deal with anxious feelings. Plus, it helps our bodies run like the well-oiled machines they are meant to be.
Thank you to our friends at Wellness.com for this piece!
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