Stressed?  You need Vitamin B!

We live in a fast-paced world.  Technology renders communication almost instantaneous, and we’re expected to keep up with it.  Demands are higher, wages lower…and that’s your career.   Your personal life can be just as challenging; being a parent is enough to cause anxiety in the most sainted and patient amongst us.

Stress has an extremely negative effect on the body.  It can lead to heart problems, stomach and digestive ailments, skin disorders, depression and weight issues-the latter being my personal favorite.

So how do we handle it?  We usually look to outside sources to give us release, and they’re not always healthy; Ben and Jerry’s anyone?   I mean, have you ever heard of someone being stressed and turning to a carrot for a pick-me-up?

So how about taking a natural approach to stress-release? (Without the calories, or other negative consequences that come from ‘drowning our sorrows’?)

Types of Vitamin B

B vitamins have been proven to work with brain chemistry; balancing neurotransmitters and helping us stay calm and achieve balance.   They’re inexpensive, and you can keep them next to your tooth brush so you remember to pop them in the morning.  They’ll give you a boost of energy, so don’t take them before bed.  Let’s look at the different ones and what they do:

B1, Thiamine-vitamin B1 (aka Thiamine)-converts glucose into energy.  It can aid in stabilizing mood, improves memory and concentration, and keeps the nervous system happy.  When the nervous system aint happy, aint nobody happy…

B3, Niacin-vitamin B3 aids the digestive system by helping the body release energy from carbohydrates.  It also controls blood sugar and maintains healthy nervous system function.  A lack of B3 can cause depression, irritability, stress and mood disorders.  Don’t know about you, but I need to amp up my vitamin B3 consumption right before my ‘special week’ every month!

B6, Pyridoxine-this happy little vitamin helps the body manufacture neurotransmitters such as serotonin (which I call the ‘happy-happy-joy-joy’ drug.)  Serotonin gives you a feeling of wellbeing and helps with depression, stress and anxiety.  Vitamin B6 is also a bit of a superhero, helping boost your flagging immune system in moments of extreme stress.

B9, Folic Acid-vitamin B9 (aka folic acid), is essential for creating energy.  This is probably why they increase your intake of it when you’re pregnant…otherwise they’d be a wave of knocked-up zombies wandering around in a comatose state.  Your body cannot produce folic acid on its own, and if you’re deficient you may experience depression and fatigue…and start resembling a pregnant zombie.  Awkward if you’re a guy…

B12, Cyanocobalamin- Vitamin B12 should be called the ‘memory vitamin’ because your brain is most dependent upon it.  If you’re deficient, you may have mental confusion and be unable to cope with stress.  Hey I know a lot of people that fit into this category…they’re usually in line with me at Wal-Mart!  Vitamin B12 is also essential in the creation of the mood hormone serotonin, and the sleep hormone melatonin.

Other Important B Vitamins-B2 is needed for the metabolism (burning) of fats and carbohydrates.  B5 (pantothenic acid), speeds up the activity of the immune system so you’re better equipped to physically deal with stress.  B7 (biotin), aids the body in producing glucose and can balance mood swings.

B-Complex-so I should lecture you here about replenishing your B vitamins daily by eating foods rich in vitamin B (meats, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, beans and vegetables.)  But I won’t, because I know you’re already stressed enough as it is.  Try making some improvements in your eating habits if you can, but also go out and purchase a good quality ‘B-Complex’ vitamin from your nearest health food store.  It will contain most of your essential B vitamins, and takes 1 second of your precious time to swallow before you race out the door.  As you go through your day answering an endless stream of phone calls on your Blackberry, you’ll suddenly realize you have the positive attitude and energy to cope with it.