Supplements to Combat Stress

Stress and anxiety are part of the human body’s defense mechanism against potential threats to one’s safety and well-being. In many cases, however, this stress can be unwarranted and get out of hand.

Unwarranted stress is characterized by fretting and obsessing about difficulties that one can hardly do anything about, much less by feeling bad about things. Stress that gets out of hand can result in physical, mental, and even social problems. Around two out of every three Americans believe stress has a negative effect on their lives, and many of them seek help or relief.

Many turn to perceived stress relief aids such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and even restricted drugs. Apart from the potential harm many of these substances have, they generally do not address the biochemical sources of the stress, and merely distract the person from the problem by replacing it with other sensations.

The safest standpoint in dealing with this kind of stress is through lifestyle adjustments and dietary changes. Resorting to approaches like meditation, hypnosis, yoga, and the like might not fully deal with the problem if the stress is caused by nutritional deficiencies due to inadequate food sources.

Let us look into some natural nutritional supplements that could adjust such imbalance and relieve stress.

Minerals

The human body needs certain minerals to function optimally. Magnesium is a metallic element that is important for nerve and muscular function. Sufficient magnesium in one’s diet will promote relaxation as it has a major role in the hormonal axis and regulation of the stress response. This mineral, in the form of magnesium citrate, is used in depression treatment. A combination of magnesium citrate, calcium lactate, and iodine is our favorite for easing temporary stress and supporting neurotransmitters that regulate mood.

Herbs

Certain plants are popular remedies for stress-related problems. The root of the flowering plant called Valerian is used for sleep disorders as well as insomnia, anxiety, and stress. Alcohol-based extracts of this herb are taken in drop form as a sleep aid and to reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate, and alleviate feelings of pressure when under stress.

Other herbs such as the cold-weather flowering plant Rhodiola and the vine Schisandra are packaged in a mood supplement distributed by the MediHerb company. Also in their armament of products is an herbal preparation called Astragalus Complex which is a combination of several plant products such as Echinacea purpurea root, Eleuthero root, and the Astragalus root itself. This combination helps the body’s response to environmental stress, immune function, and promotes feelings of vitality and well-being.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential micronutrients for a normal and healthy body and brain function. Most of the common water-soluble vitamins fall under the family known as the Vitamin B-Complex. This consists of thiamine or Vitamin B1, riboflavin or Vitamin B2, niacin or Vitamin B3, pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5, pyridoxine or Vitamin B6, and biotin, folic acid, and the cobalamins collectively referred to as Vitamin B12.

People who suffer from immune disorders or are committed to a vegan diet become deficient in B vitamins and may suffer cell metabolism problems. These patients should take supplements of Vitamin B-complex at the start of the day to avoid suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression problems.

Other vitamins such as Vitamin A for its antioxidant properties and Vitamin C for improved immune response are good companions of a complete Vitamin B-Complex in one’s pursuit of overall health.

Amino acids

Human tissue is generally built out of amino acids present in many foods, especially meats and other protein sources. The amino acid Theanine, which is found in green tea, is widely used for treating anxiety and reducing blood pressure in high-stress response adults.

Fats and oils

Healthy diets require a considerable amount of fats and oils for general health and normal brain function. Hemp oil contains many vitamins and nutrients that have been shown to elevate mood and combat anxiety. We also typically recommend a fish oil supplement that contains both EPA and DHA.

Hormones

Hormones are proteins secreted by the endocrine system to govern metabolic functions of various systems in the body. Melatonin is a well-known hormone due to its use in supplement form to help control sleep cycles.

This hormone occurs naturally in the body and is normally produced by the brain’s pineal gland. Augmenting the amount of melatonin in the body, it serves as an effective mood supplement as it demonstrates a good calming effect. The supplement can also alleviate behavioral disorders, depression, and anxiety, as well as sleep disorders in the elderly.

Neurotransmitters

In some applications, the best therapeutic approach is to target the area of the brain where a deficiency exists and augment the amount of neurotransmitters such as Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. This is the chemical that can relieve anxiety, improve mood, reduce PMS symptoms, and treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Nutritional supplements containing Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation and immunity in otherwise stressful situations.

As there is a plethora of such supplements available, many of which have not even been cleared with regulatory authorities like the USFDA, it is best to look only into products carried by reliable distributors and manufactured by renowned companies.

Enjoy the benefits of stress-busting healthy foods and supplement with natural and FDA-approved products. You can message us, WholeBody Solutions, here. You can also contact Dr. Ann Doggett at 617.328.6300 and [email protected] for concerns regarding stress-related health issues and safe supplementation.

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