Vitamins to Relieve Stress & Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are problems which are on the increase in western society. As our lives are becoming more fast paced than ever before, the price we pay is an increase in stress-related illness such as anxiety, depression, exhaustion, digestive disorders and poor immunity just to name a few.

The symptoms of stress and anxiety are often made worse by the accompanying lack of vitamins and minerals that can result. In order to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms, we need to correct any underlying vitamin and mineral imbalances and make sure the body has all the nutrients it needs in order to function correctly.

B vitamins are extremely important supplements to consider when looking to relieve stress and anxiety. Optimum levels of B vitamins are required for a healthy nervous system and healthy adrenal glands. Without them we can feel tired and lethargic, anxious, and even depressed.

In order to relieve stress and anxiety, we also need to maintain healthy levels of magnesium in the body. Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and supplementation should be considered wherever there are symptoms of anxiety.

Another important mineral to help relieve stress and anxiety is calcium. Calcium is also needed for a healthy nervous system and low amounts can also affect the absorption of magnesium in the body.

There are many herbs you can take to help relieve stress and anxiety. Herbs such as chamomile and lemon balm can help calm the nervous system in times of stress, especially if there are accompanying digestive troubles. Longer term options include oats and Withania, which both nourish and restore the nervous system and adrenal glands.

Besides taking supplements to relieve stress and anxiety, it is also important to make the necessary lifestyle decisions in order to give your body the chance to recover. Finding activities which you find relaxing and making time to do them is important. Not everyone is suited to yoga and meditation, others find they prefer to relieve stress and anxiety through exercise, art, or simply turning of the TV, phone and computer for an allocated time each day.

It is important to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms as early as possible. Long term stress can put excess strain on the adrenal glands, leading to fatigue, exhaustion and even long term depression. Adrenal exhaustion can take years to overcome completely. This is why it is important to look after your body and relieve stress and anxiety before they take their toll.

For information on the best Australian supplements for stress, click here

Vitamins for Women

These days there are so many vitamins for women available in stores, many of them claiming to do everything from building healthy hair, skin and nails, to energy and even weight loss. It can often be difficult to work out what to take and whether it will be effective.

When looking for the right vitamins for women, a great place to start is a premium quality multivitamin supplement. Often many of the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy women can be found in a single tablet. From there you might also wish to add an essential fatty acid supplement such as fish oil or flaxseed oil. These two supplements provide the basis of any health regime.

Choosing the right multivitamin

When choosing vitamins for women, firstly we need to look at your particular needs. Are you eating red meat at least three times per week? If not, you may need a little extra iron, Zinc and B vitamins. Do you consume dairy foods on a daily basis? If the answer is no, you may need a top up of calcium, magnesium and other essential vitamins and minerals.  Do you have a history of low iron levels? If so, you may also need some B vitamins, vitamin C and folate to help the absorption of iron.

The best vitamins for women also take into account the needs of women in general. Women of reproductive age often have a greater need for iron. If PMS is a problem, vitamin B6 is also a priority as this can help to balance hormone levels. High levels of magnesium are also important in order to help prevent menstrual cramps.

Many women these days are busy, stressed or burning the candle at both ends. Vitamins for women are often required during these times as the body burns through more nutrients when it is stressed or busy. This is why supplements for busy women should include a high amount of B vitamins. Natural B vitamins are the best B vitamins for women as they are better absorbed by the body. B vitamins support the nervous system and protect the adrenal glands, parts of the body which can become overworked and exhausted during times of stress.

Active women also have a greater need for nutrients. A supplement containing minerals and vitamins for women who are exercising regularly should include calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and vitamin E, to name a few. Vitamins for women who are active need to be easily absorbed into the bloodstream so they are available during exercise when the body needs it most.

For the best multivitamin for women in Australia, click here

Vitamins for Stress

Stress is something we all come across at one time or another. We all have different levels of stress and different ways of dealing with it when it occurs. But it’s when we are exposed to long term stress that our bodies begin to suffer.

If not dealt with correctly, stress can lead to debilitating symptoms such as anxiety, tension, depression, digestive problems and even exhaustion. Long term stress can even cause our adrenal glands to become overworked and depleted, leading to adrenal exhaustion, which can in turn lead to chronic fatigue.

If we cannot prevent the stressful situations occurring, then we must take steps to prevent our bodies from suffering. Supplements containing minerals and vitamins for stress are a great idea in order to support the different systems in the body which come under fire. B vitamins for stress and anxiety relief are a popular supplement, but there are many other vitamins and minerals which are also important to consider. While B vitamins are often the best vitamins for stress and anxiety relief and to boost energy if taken in the short term, there are other vitamins and minerals that we need to consider for long term support.

When we are stressed, our bodies burn through many nutrients at an increased rate. Our hearts beat faster, using more calcium, magnesium and iron. Our adrenal glands release hormones to make our minds and bodies more alert, requiring increased amounts of B vitamins and magnesium. Our nervous systems work harder, which also uses more B vitamins and magnesium. We often burn through more minerals and vitamins for stress adaptation than if we are doing physical exercise. It’s no wonder we become run down over time if we are continually exposed to stressful situations.

It is important to support the nervous system. Any supplement containing minerals and vitamins for stress should contain high amounts of B vitamins, especially B3, to nourish the nervous system. Our nerves also need high amounts of magnesium in order to relax and calcium to help nerve conduction.

Choosing the right vitamins for stress relief can be a complex undertaking. It is important to get the correct balance of vitamins and minerals to support the systems of the body which are under strain, while providing energy to get through day to day life. The most important minerals and vitamins for stress should be available in the right balance in a premium quality multivitamin supplement.
The best vitamins for stress and anxiety relief are ones made from natural ingredients, as they are better absorbed by the body, even if the digestive system is not functioning at its best. For the best Australian supplement containing vitamins for stress, click here

Signs of Low Iron Levels

Iron is an extremely important mineral. Not only is it essential for healthy blood cells and oxygen transport, it is also needed for many other functions, such as building strong hair and nails, bone formation and immune system function.
Signs of low iron levels can often creep up on us. They can be mild at first, with symptoms developing gradually over time.  This is why it is often difficult to pinpoint when the signs of low iron levels first began.
The first signs of low iron levels can be as simple as feeling breathless when you exercise or walk up a flight of stairs. Other early signs of low iron levels include hair which is thinning or in poor condition, or nails which split and break easily.
Fatigue and lethargy are also very common signs of low iron levels. Women with low iron often report having a lack of energy, and often look tired and pale.
Signs of low iron levels can also include frequent illnesses and infections. Healthy iron levels are needed for a strong immune system, and a lack of iron can leave us susceptible to catching whatever comes our way. Making sure iron stores are at optimum levels is always a good idea before winter sets in.
When deciding if you need a high dose iron supplement, it is always advisable to get a blood test at your doctor first. High dose iron tablets (ones that contain in excess of 80mg of inorganic iron such as fumerate or sulphate) may do more harm than good if they are not needed. Because signs of low iron levels are similar to signs of low levels of other vitamins, including B and C, it is advisable to get an iron test before taking high dose iron tablets.
The best kind of iron test to get is one which checks for both the iron currently in your bloodstream (haemoglobin) and also the stored iron in your body (serum ferritin). Signs of low iron levels often occur when blood levels are fine but stored levels are low, so it is important to get both checked to get the full picture.
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough iron in your diet, but don’t want to take a high dose iron tablet, a multivitamin containing an organic form of iron such as amino acid chelate may be a good idea. This is often referred to as a “maintenance dose” of iron and is often enough to prevent signs of low iron levels by preventing storage levels from dropping.
For the best multivitamin with iron for Australians, click here