Busy schedules and increased commitments have led to increased stress and anxiety in the Western world. Prescription drugs are often recommended for the treatment of anxiety and stress; however, these drugs often have unpleasant side effects. Natural anxiety treatments may be more effective than traditional remedies alone, according to Dr. Richard Podell, a clinical professor at New Jersey's Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Some alternative medical practitioners believe that vitamins can help ease the effects of stress and anxiety.
Vitamin therapy should not be considered a replacement for conventional medical therapy. Consult your doctor before beginning a vitamin regimen to combat stress and anxiety.
Vitamin B12
The brain creates chemicals that affect both physical processes and emotional states through a process called methylation, using methyl groups to change the form of its molecules, according to Dr. Podell. Improper methylation elevates the risk of both anxiety and depression. A deficiency of vitamin B12, which can be caused by certain acid-blocking drugs or adherance to a strict vegetarian diet, may contribute to weak methylation. A vitamin B12 supplement may help the brain produce the chemicals necessary to control anxiety. This vitamin is also naturally found in foods derived from animal sources, such as meats, eggs and dairy products.
Vitamin C
According to the Stress Reduction Basics website, vitamin C assists in the brain's production of cortisol, a chemical released into the bloodstream during times of stress. Cortisol helps manage stress and anxiety by producing a calming effect. Vitamin C may also help manage stress by fighting free radicals that can cause cellular damage. This vitamin is naturally found in citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges, as well as vegetables such as peas, lettuce and cabbage.
Vitamin A
Like vitamin C, vitamin A is thought to alleviate stress because of its antioxidant properties. This vitamin helps scavenger cells attack free radicals in the bloodstream, freeing the body's immune system to focus on fighting bacteria and removing stress-producing toxins from the bloodstream. Vitamin A can be derived from food sources such as butter, milk, liver and eggs. Other natural sources include mangoes, apricots, broccoli and sweet red peppers, according to the HopTechno website.
