Stress-Set-Go: Say Hi to Vitamins and Bye to Stress!

Stress comes to us as naturally as responsibilities come to us. Lets say, stress and responsibility is a couple. Stress is a major disease and illness stimulator. In fact, according to recent studies, stress is now being treated as an individual illness which could be life threatening too, at times.

Life these days has turned so ultra fast, that we don’t even have an extra moment to spare to look after our health and we end up in pulling our hair which is the ultimate result of sheer stress. It makes us more prone to falling ill as it greatly affects our immune system making us lazy and sluggish. Stress also causes physical and mental tiredness which includes insomnia, diarrhea, headaches, muscle fatigue etc.

It has been medically proven that vitamins are superb antidotes for countering stress. They are easy to take and they don’t have pronounced side effects, rather they hardly have any. Deficiency of vitamins that release stress like, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin C can lead to serious nervous breakdowns and chaotic situations. These stress combating vitamins help the immune system to work smoothly which in turn keeps us healthy and stress free.

Talking about vitamins individually, Vitamin B1, thiamine, helps in yielding energy from carbohydrates. It also helps in keeping the heart, nervous system and muscles in proper shape. Diet rich in whole grains, cereals, pasta, lean meat and beans will serve as a complete source of vitamin B1.

Vitamin B2, commonly known as riboflavin, helps in the effective release of anti-stress hormones. It works in coordination with other B-vitamins and helps in proper body growth and red blood cell production. It is easy to take in vitamin B2 as the sources are not very exotic. The sources include; eggs, legumes, nuts, cereals and vegetables.

Vitamin B3, niacin, aids in the proper flawless functioning of the digestive system and the nervous system. It also helps in maintaining a healthy skin tone and texture. A significant role is played by vitamin B3 in synthesizing energy from food. Breads, legumes, lean meat and certain enriched breads and cereals are included in the sources of obtaining vitamin B3.

Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, is necessary for the complete and right metabolism of food. Cholesterol is required by the body for the proper functioning of the cells, as it builds up the cell membranes, particularly in the brain. Hormones are also essential for the proper functioning of all our systems and for regulating blood pressure. Vitamin B5 is essential for the proper synthesis of cholesterol and hormones. Its sources readily include eggs, breads, cereals, fish, milk and milk products, yeast, broccoli and vegetables like cabbage, sweet potatoes and lean beef.

Vitamin B6 which is also known as pyridoxine plays an important role in the regulation and correct functioning of the immune system. It synthesizes antibodies that are effective in fighting against any disease pathogens that enter our body. Vitamin B6 also helps in maintaining normal nerve functions. It also aids the synthesis of red blood cells for effectively and efficiently transporting oxygen around the body. Another prime feature of vitamin B6 includes the digestion of proteins. Greater protein intake requires equal amount of greater Vitamin B6 intake for proper digestion of proteins in the stomach. It is majorly found in nuts, fish, meat, cereals and eggs.

Vitamin C is required in appropriate amounts for the healing of wounds and scars, for better healthier teeth and gums, for repairing bones and tissues and carrying other vital functions in the body.  It is also a great antioxidant. Deficiency of vitamin C results in diseases like gingivitis (bleeding of gums), softening of bones, scurvy, obesity because of slow metabolic processes, and anemia etc. Major sources of vitamins include almost all fruits and green vegetables. Proper intake of vitamin C is a must as it regulates all the processes that are taking place in the body and also helps to maintain stronger bones, teeth and cartilages.

If you go through all the sources that have been mentioned above, you’ll find that you won’t have to spend extra efforts in obtaining them. By simply maintaining a diet which includes the optimum amounts of these vitamins, you can fight stress without wasting any time and lead yourself towards a healthy life.