Biological Systems Involved In Anxiety
Due to the complex biology of anxiety, its unsurprising that SSRI medications like Zoloft or Lexapro, which only target one of these systems , are ineffective for 30-40% of patients. Benzodiazepines like Klonopin or Ativan may work for more people, but their adverse effects can include memory problems, dependence, and addiction.
On the other hand, natural herbs and supplements for anxiety can address multiple systems at once without potential for dependence and addiction.
Mood Booster Supplements: Important Advice
Research into the use of mood support supplements is ongoing. At this time, there is not enough evidence to verify that any supplement will be beneficial for everyone who uses it. That’s why it’s important to discuss your concerns about your mood issues with your medical provider before taking any supplement. A health care professional can help you weigh the options and choose the best mood support supplement for your specific needs. Once you have purchased a product, be sure to use it only as directed by the manufacturer or your health care provider.
What Is A Mood Stabilizer
For many people, struggling with depression or other mood-related issues can be debilitating. While some people will need help from a mental health professional, others can find relief by taking mood stabilizers. Some mood stabilizers are pharmaceuticals that you will need to have prescribed by a doctor. If you want to try something that is milder and that you can get over the counter, there are plenty of supplements and other options that some people find effective.
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Source Naturals Serene Science Gaba
Amino acids play many roles in the body. One of them, gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, influences neurotransmitters in the brain. A shortage of GABA can cause disruptions in neurotransmission we experience as anxiety.
What we like: GABA helps straighten out the kinks in neural transmission that are often behind anxious feelings. Source Naturals provides a robust dose of 750mg of GABA per capsule, and that is it. No fillers. No artificial anything.
Flaws: GABA seems very much a hit or miss supplement. Works great for some, not at all for others.
Who Needs An Anxiety Supplement
If you find that anxiety is interfering with your quality of life, you should consider anxiety supplements. If you find yourself lying awake at night worrying about this or that or dreading the future, you should consider anxiety supplements. And if you feel yourself beset with anxiety as a result of recent events, you may well benefit from an anxiety supplement.
One of the many great things about anxiety supplements is that you do not need to make a special trip to the doctor to ask them to prescribe one for you. They are safe and legal and can be purchased online or in scores of brick and mortar retailers. Because of that, there is no need to wait for things to get out of control before you seek help.
So, if you find yourself unusually distressed for whatever reason, keep in mind that there is probably an anxiety supplement that can help you regain emotional equilibrium.
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Viva Naturals Premium Non
This is the best vitamin C brand for preventing oxidative stress in the body, which triggers anxiety. Viva Naturals is one of the very few brands that offer consumers a high-quality serving of Scottish Quali-C, which is made by one of the worlds leading manufacturers of this essential nutrient. This supplement is formulated with an ample amount of antioxidant support derived from citrus bioflavonoids and rose hips, which helps consumers be confident that this product is effective.
Each batch of this product is third-party tested to ensure quality and provides a strong dose of 1,000 mg of immunity-supporting vitamin C. The vitamin C blend that is used includes citrus bioflavonoids and rose hips, which offers users even more antioxidant support with each serving. These capsules are also non-GMO and vegetarian, which makes them an easy addition to anyones diet.
Pros
- Best vitamin C to prevent oxidative stress.
- It contains a high-quality European vitamin C.
- Supports collagen production, helping improve the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
Cons
- It contains rice powder, which many are opposed to.
- Large pills are hard to swallow.
- May turn urine bright yellow.
Vitamins For Stress Relief
Stress and anxiety are often tied together in a vicious circle. Increased stress brings on more anxiety and vice versa. When cortisol levels rise, mood and health frequently suffer. Lifestyle change and diet can help, but additional support is often needed. Vitamins can increase energy, balance neurotransmitter levels, improve cognitive performance, and regulate mood. B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin C, GABA, and 5-HTP are 5 vitamins commonly used to help with anxiety and stress.
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Vitamin B Complex Supplements
Eating a well-rounded diet of whole, unprocessed foods is a good start towards getting the B vitamins you need from your diet.
However, if you dont eat meat or dont get at least the recommended 9 servings a day of fruits and vegetables, you might be low in one or more of the B vitamins.
One of the most common questions about B vitamin supplementation is whether you should take individual B vitamins or a B complex supplement.
Eventually it can cause permanent nerve and brain damage.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms .
When you read a B12 supplement label, youll find that it usually contains much more than this.
Because only about 2% of the B12 in supplements is actually absorbed, the excess assures that youre getting close to the RDA.
Are These Supplements Safe For Long
Most studies looked at the efficacy and safety of these supplements for 4 – 12 weeks. While we cannot say definitively what the safety would be over many months or years, this is also true for most prescription medications used for mental health conditions.
Some of these supplements have been used for centuries in traditional healing systems without any known serious side-effects. For others like magnesium and lysine, we consume them every day through our food at some level.
Also Check: Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness All Day
Can I Take More Than One Supplement From This List
Patients with significant anxiety may need more than one supplement from this list to address the different biological contributors of anxiety. For example, in my practice, I typically start patients on magnesium because it is essential for health and commonly deficient. In addition, we may add other supplements like valerian root, rhodiola, or phosphatidylserine.
For those who are interested in taking more than one supplement, it is important to be mindful of potential interactions. For example, valerian root and passionflower may be too sedating to use together during the day, but may be helpful for sleep problems.
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Life in recovery doesnt have to be miserable and a healthy, sustainable sober life shouldnt be.
References:
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Are Anxiety Supplements Safe For Everyone
While these supplements are generally safe, there are some groups that may be at higher risk for side-effects or other concerns:
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Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding: It is best to avoid these supplements since we do not have enough safety studies for these critical periods of early development.
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Infants and young children: They should only take supplements under the supervision of a licensed medical professional.
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Those on prescription medications: Before starting any supplements, consult with your doctor to make sure that there are no harmful interactions.
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Those with chronic medical conditions: For conditions that affect liver and kidney function, consult with your doctor before starting any supplements.
Many Of These Recommended Natural Anxiety Supplements Are Folk Medicine Gathered From Around The World
Its important to keep in mind that anxiety is a very complicated disorder to treat because the reason can be anything from a vitamin/nutrient imbalance, to an underlying medical disorder that can be treated incredibly well through a combination of CBT and NLP methods. Every human body is different, so it may take some experimentation with these anxiety supplements and their dosages to find the right one.
If you are on prescription medication, inform to your doctor before starting any of the anxiety supplements mentioned before. Theyre not usually harmful by themselves, but rarely the ingredients will negatively react with the pharmaceutical chemicals. It may also be worthwhile to see a homeopathic physician who will work in collaboration with your primary doctor to find a the most suitable solution.
You will also need to make sure you are exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. These two lifestyle changes are essential because they help release the appropriate amount of chemicals from the brain, so that you are functioning at a more balanced level.
While there isnt a direct cure for anxiety, there are many ways to manage symptoms and find more peace in your daily life. If you live with anxiety, one measure you can take to reduce your symptoms is to include supplements and vitamins for anxiety in your diet..
Lets Get To The Best Vitamins, Herbs, And Natural Supplements Specifically used to relief Stress And Anxiety:
Read Also: How To Overcome Overwhelming Anxiety
Garden Of Life Vitamin Code Raw B
This is the best vitamin B-complex brand, due to its high absorption rate. Having a deficiency in one or more B vitamins is common, especially in people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or people who are especially stressed.
The eight B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning the body is not able to easily store them, so they have to be replenished often. The functions of the B vitamins are so interrelated that it is best to take them together so they can work in unison to perform at their optimal levels. This product offers a full recommended daily value of all eight of the essential B vitamins, and it is specially formulated to have high potencies.
This supplement is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and has no binders or fillers in it. It provides mental and physical energy and supports healthy blood, a healthy cardiovascular system, immunity, and healthy stress response, making this B complex vitamin an essential nutrient for the body.
Pros
- Great value for the money.
- It provides a full B vitamin complex.
- Aids in healthy digestion with live probiotics and enzymes.
Cons
Vitamins Are Not Medicine
Natural health enthusiasts have been promoting the idea of vitamins alone as a treatment for anxiety in years. Sometimes there is a benefit. There is some early evidence that magnesium supplements may help with anxiety, for example. There is also some belief that a proper diet is may be useful for coping with stress. But taking vitamin supplements may not work for everyone, and simply adding vitamins to your diet may not have much of an effect.
The reason that most vitamins have little effect on your anxiety is simple: when your body doesn’t need the vitamin, it usually removes them. This is true of Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and several minerals. Your digestive system is unlikely to keep nutrients it doesn’t need. Instead, it turns them into waste, and you expel them every time you go to the bathroom.
Some vitamins and minerals, like calcium, do build up in the body. But usually, this is considered a bad thing – not a good thing. Too much Vitamin A, for example, can become toxic.
That is why some experts believe it may actually be harmful to frequently consume vitamins that you do not need. If you are going to add vitamins to your diet, you first need to be selective – talk to your doctor, and try to understand what your dietary needs may be. That is the case with B-Vitamins – a common vitamin that is often recommended on several blogs and natural health websites for those with anxiety.
Read Also: How To Stop Anxiety Tremors
Supplementing Vitamins With Counseling
If you’re still struggling with anxiety, vitamins can help to reduce the severity of your symptoms, but therapy is still the most important treatment you can receive because it will allow you to work through the underlying issues and learn helpful coping mechanisms. To that end, BetterHelp can help you find a licensed counselor to support you.
BetterHelp is an online counseling platform that connects you with certified therapists and simplifies the counseling process. When you’re ready to get started, all you have to do is to answer a short questionnaire on their website, so you can find the licensed therapist most suited for your needs. Then, you can join therapy sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home . Below are some reviews of BetterHelp counselors from people experiencing similar issues.
Understanding The Symptoms Of Depression
Depression is far more than just having a bad day or feeling sad about a particular event. Understanding the symptoms of depression can help you to determine whether you need to be contacting a therapist or other mental health professional, or if you just need to get help with your mood. As with many other conditions, there can be many different symptoms of depression. The following are among the most common:
- Trouble concentrating
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite
- Persistent anxiety
If you regularly experience some or all of these symptoms, you will likely want to talk to your doctor. They can help you to evaluate your situation and recommend that you see a mental health professional if appropriate.
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Natural Health: Vitamins To Help With Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Q. I have always been a shy person, not really comfortable in strange situations or with people who I dont know very well, but recently I have become more anxious than usual and prone to panic attacks.
I am not interested in taking medications. Are there any supplements that might help me?
A. There are a number of nutrients that are important when it comes to reducing anxiety levels in particular the B vitamins.
While therapeutic doses of individual vitamins have been shown to be beneficial in alleviating certain symptoms, it is always a good idea to take a good B-complex alongside individual B vitamins since they work synergistically.
Vitamin B1 is important for balancing blood sugar levels, which are a significant factor in anxiety levels.
Vitamin B3 plays a crucial role in the synthesis of serotonin and has been shown to help with anxiety at a dosage of 1,000-3,000mg per day.
Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands, which reduces stress and anxiety levels.
Vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 are important in balancing out depressive moods.
Vitamin B6 together with magnesium can balance out anxiety that occurs in conjunction with PMS.
Great foods for getting your B vitamins include liver, meats, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, legumes, nutritional yeast, and molasses.
Inositol is a water-soluble fatty lipid necessary for healthy cell production.
This can be a particularly useful nutrient to consider where obsessive rumination of thoughts is a problem.
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