Multivitamins are a combination of essential vitamins and minerals in one small pill. The body needs a certain amount of each vitamin since each one has different functions in the body. Vitamin B12, for example, is one of the vitamins responsible for regulating the activity of your nervous system, which is affected by stress. Consult your doctor if you are thinking about taking vitamin B12.
Insomnia
Stress can manifest itself in a multitude of ways. However, all types of stress result in tension and an inability to relax. As a result, stress can interfere with your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get a good night's sleep. Vitamin B12 supplements help alleviate tension by acting as a sedative on your nerves. Taking vitamin B12 before bedtime, however, will not help you fall asleep instantly, because it is not a sleeping pill. Although, maintaining a high level of vitamin B12 will help reduce your sleep problems.
Mental Health
Stress can cause or trigger mental instability. It exacerbates many physical and mental health conditions, such as depression. Vitamin B12 is important for mental health because it aids the production and functioning of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. As such, it helps balance chemicals in the brain. According to a Finnish study, published in the March 2004 issue of "Psychology Today," depressed patients with high levels of vitamin B12 had the most success stopping symptoms of depression than those with low levels of vitamin B12.
Immune System
The immune system protects the body from disease and infections. In order to function sufficiently, it requires proper nutrition. Vitamin B12 is one of the vitamins needed for the immune system to function effectively. This is especially important when the immune system is taxed by physical or emotional stress. Stress can wear down your body's defenses, making you more vulnerable to illness. Therefore, increased vitamin B12 intake during times of stress, may enhance immune system functioning, according to a study published in the November 2002 issue of "The British Journal of Nutrition."
Sources
Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Therefore, vitamin B12 can be found in fish, meat, chicken, eggs and a variety of dairy products, including milk and cheese, which are all sources of protein. It can also be taken as a supplement and is often combined with other B vitamins, such as vitamin B6. Such supplements are called B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B12 can also be administered in a shot as a prescription medication. Vitamin B12 shots are supposed to increase energy and alleviate fatigue, which is a major symptom of stress. However, its effectiveness for reducing fatigue is unclear.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Vitamin B12 Evidence
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Is Vitamin B Good for Stress
- "The British Journal of Nutrition"; The Immune System: A Target for Functional Foods; P.C. Calder & S. Kew: November 2002
- "Psychology Today"; Be Healthy with B12; Willow Lawson; February 2004
- HolisticOnline.com: Alternative and Integral Therapies for Insomnia
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