Vitamins

From Lowering Stress Naturally

Stress comes in many forms and from many sources, just as it causes many symptoms. We usually think of stress as the anxiety and tension we feel as a result of a dangerous or unpleasant situation or encounter. This is emotional stress, which in turn causes physical stress, as is revealed by various symptoms such as ulcers, high blood pressure, etc.

Both emotional stress and physical stress will effect our bodies in ways we cannot see or feel readily. People are usually more familiar with the effects of emotional stress because we can immediately feel the anxiety and the resulting tenseness. However, physical stress, whether caused by emotional stress or physical injury or even excess cold or heat, causes internal changes which will raise your total stress level.

Just as emotional stress can cause physical stress, physical stress causes emotional stress. This is evidenced by the mental reaction we experience when we first realize we are coming down with the flu or just don't feel "quite right". It is difficult to feel at peace and relax mentally when our bodies are stressed by illness.

When we are stressed either emotionally or physically, our bodies use up more vitamin C and we are in need of a greater supply. During stressful times it is beneficial to eat plenty of fruits or fruit juice, or take a supplement. If we supply our bodies with an abundance of this vitamin, it can work to keep us well and healthy and/or heal and injury or illness.

The B vitamins are vital to the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that give you the emotional and physical energy necessary to cope with stress. Since stress is an inevitable part of life, we need to find ways to cope, with the least amount of damage to our well-being as possible. Using whole grain products is a good way to keep your body supplied with the B vitamins, or a good B-Complex supplement is beneficial if you cannot get enough in your diet.

Vitamin E is also important to the adrenal glands. Vitamin E also acts with vitamin A to protect our bodies from the effects of stress. If we can protect ourselves from physical reactions to stress, we will break the cycle of physical stress creating more emotional stress and vice versa.

When our bodies are functioning well, it is easier to keep our emotional stress under control, and when we can do that, our bodies function better. This cycle promotes a feeling of well-being and a higher quality of life. A good diet rich in vitamins and minerals can work against the effects of stress as well as keeping stress to a minimum.

An over-all good diet which supplies the body with the nutrients it needs is important for a top notch performance of all body functions. This includes our ability to handle stress. The best way to attain this is to avoid processed foods as much as possible and use natural foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and low-fat dairy, while limiting red meats and fats. Some good sources of the stress vitamins are as follows:

VITAMIN C; Oranges, grapefruit, sweet and hot peppers, berries, melons, grapes, fruit juices.

VITAMIN B; Whole grains, legumes, seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, etc), wheat germ, liver.

VITAMIN A; Any fruit or vegetable that is red or orange in color, green leafy vegetables, broccoli.

VITAMIN E; Whole grains, wheat germ, nuts, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils.