Best Stress Reduction Vitamins

Free Radical Injury and Anti oxidants
In recent times the concept of free radical injury and anti oxidants is given much importance. All cell deaths are related to injuries by free radicals. Free radicals are highly destructive ionic forms of oxygen which are formed during different metabolic reactions and in various conditions like smoking, diabetes etc. Anti oxidants are substances which are cell protective. They prevent the damage caused by free radicals by converting the highly reactive oxygen ions into dormant forms. Some of the well known anti oxidants are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Flavinoids.

The Controversy

Opinion is divided when it comes to the prescription of vitamins for stress. Two issues are to be answered.

Are Vitamins effective in tackling stress?
Are Stress Vitamins safe?

Effectiveness of Stress vitamins

Stress is characterized by increased cortisol and adrenaline, increased metabolic activity and formation of lot of free radicals. The stressed person is restless and agitated.

Vitamin C helps in the synthesis of cortisol and adrenaline. Vitamin B complex helps in the metabolic activities and Niacin is required for the synthesis of serotonin which pacifies an anxious person. Vitamin A, C and E act as anti oxidants and prevent free radical damage.

Though all the explanations given above are supportive of the role of vitamins in tackling stress, there are points against it also. All the vitamins act as coenzymes only. Coenzymes are chemical substances which initiate chemical reactions, participate in the reactions and are again formed at the end of the reactions. So the levels of the vitamins acting as coenzymes remain the same. Moreover vitamins are found to be effective in tackling physical stress only and not emotional stress.

So points in favor of and against the use of vitamins are there. More researches are needed to find out the solution for this controversy.

Safety of Stress Vitamins

Toxicity of over doses of vitamin A and D is well documented. But not so in the group of Stress Vitamins B, C and E. Although certain studies have shown that higher doses of Vitamin B is associated with hyperactivity, depression and Vitamin C with formation of Oxalate stones in kidneys there is no adequate proof for these. So Stress Vitamins can be taken as stress relievers without any fear.

The controversy does not end with the prescription of vitamins for stress. Minerals like Magnesium and Zinc and the fatty acid Alpha Lipoic acid are the new members in the list of controversial stress relievers. More studies are being done and the definite role of these substances is yet to be defined.

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