Stress results from increasing demands on your life, or if you have too much "on your plate" at one time, according to the MayoClinic.com. Learning how to manage your stress is very important, as long periods of stress possibly cause health problems. To help provide relief, consider modifying your diet to include a selection of different foods that contain nutrients to help combat stress.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C may be effective in stress-reduction. According to a 2003 "Psychology Today" article, an adequate supply of vitamin C helps your body deal with stressful conditions, while also preventing mental or physical changes when your are presented with psychological challenges. People with plenty of vitamin C in their diets seem to recover faster from stress than those with low levels of vitamin C. Good sources of vitamin C include foods such as papaya, oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, spinach, cranberries and red peppers.
Vitamin B-1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B-1 or "thiamine" is part of the B group of vitamins. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that vitamin B-1 is also called an "anti-stress" vitamin, as it helps your body deal with stress, while also improving the strength of your immune system. You'll get vitamin B-1 from pastas, rice, black strap molasses, wheat germ, soybeans, pork, fortified breads and brewer's yeast.
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B-5, also known as "pantothenic acid," is a B vitamin, part of the B vitamin group. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B-5 is also called an "anti-stress" vitamin, mainly due to its ability to reduce the production of stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands. You'll find vitamin B-5 in foods including split peas, avocado, egg yolks, liver, lobster, soybeans, salmon, chicken, kale, peanuts and duck.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B-6 or "pyridoxine" is another B vitamin. Vitamin B-6 reduces stress as it helps your body produce two hormones called norepinephrine and serotonin, which affect mood. When you have low levels of serotonin in your body, depression or stress occurs as a result. Vitamin B-6 helps boost serotonin levels, aiding in stress-prevention.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- "PsychologyToday"; Vitamin C: Stress Buster; 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Stress Basics
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin B1 (thiamine); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC): Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid); Steven D. Ehrlich; 2009
