Anxiety is a common mental health complaint. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety disorders strike 18 percent of American adults every year. Many more suffer from less severe but still unpleasant bouts of anxiety. In addition to nervous feelings, anxiety disorders can also cause physical symptoms such as racing heart, rapid breathing, excessive sweating, light-headedness, hair loss and insomnia. Understandably, anxiety sufferers are often desperate for effective treatments. While medication and psychotherapy are often successful in treating anxiety, there is also evidence that vitamin B-12, which affects brain neurotransmitter levels, can help ease anxiety symptoms.
Step 1
Increase your consumption of foods rich in vitamin B-12. B-vitamins are integral to the production of certain brain chemicals related to mood, says the University of Minnesota. Some people, especially vegetarians, may be especially susceptible to nutrition-related B-vitamin deficiency. A good first step is to eat more fortified breakfast cereals, eggs and milk. Non-vegetarians should also include more lean meats, poultry and fish, says the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Speak to your physician or a registered dietitian about B vitamins, nutrition and anxiety symptoms. A physician may run medical tests to rule out various causes of vitamin deficiency and/or anxiety. A registered dietitian can advise you on healthy nutrition for addressing mood problems.
Step 3
Take a daily B-vitamin supplement. This could be either a B-12 supplement alone, or a B-complex supplement, which provides other B-vitamins and nutrients in addition to B-12. Ask your doctor which supplement is appropriate for you.
Step 4
Follow up with your medical provider to continue to assess anxiety symptoms and vitamin B-12 supplement treatment. If vitamin B-12 is effective in easing your anxiety, you may be advised to continue taking it indefinitely.
