Vitamins for stress

It would not be wrong to say that stress has become an inseparable part of modern life. Almost everyone, including children, experiences stress in some form or the other. They can occur in day-to-day life.It can take place in your school, workplace, road, or even in a traffic jam. Any kind of stress - be it physical stress, emotional stress, or mental stress ultimately takes its toll on the human body. This can be manifested on the biochemical scale in the form of:

• reduced levels of important micronutrients like vitamins A, B, C and E as well as minerals;
• reduced levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine;
• increased levels of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol;
• increased metabolic rate
• increased levels of free radicals.

These biochemical changes can cause headaches, lethargy, irritability, high blood pressure, fatigue. Since vitamins A, B, C and E, are referred to as stress vitamins, they cannot be manufactured inside the body. Their intake in the form of supplement pills should help to minimize the ill-effects of stress. A stress vitamins pill is not a solution to stress.

The question that arises in this context is how effective are stress vitamins in combating stress and whether it is safe to take them as supplements.

About stress vitamins

Vitamins are micronutrients. They are required in miniscule quantities for triggering and regulating some metabolic reactions in the body. Commercially available formulations of stress vitamins contain different combinations of vitamins B complex, C, E, and A in varying strengths.

Do stress-reduction vitamins really work?

It is the antioxidant properties of vitamins A, C and E that are believed to help in stress relief by neutralizing the free radicals. Vitamin B plays the role of a coenzyme in many metabolic reactions in the body. For example:

• Niacin, a B complex vitamin, is necessary for the metabolism of serotonin - a neurotransmitter that keeps the mind calm.
• Pyridoxine and vitamin B12 are essential for the integrity of nerves.
• Pantothenic acid, another B complex vitamin, along with folic acid and vitamin C regulates the functioning of adrenal glands, where stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol are synthesized.

Vitamin C is required in the metabolism of stress-related hormones like adrenaline, dopamine, and noradrenalin. It also helps boost the immunity system of the body.

The prescription of vitamins for stress is hotly debated. There is no conclusive evidence for the efficacy of vitamins in stress relief. According to some nutrition experts, stress-reduction vitamins would probably help to stay calm under emotionally stressful conditions, but they do help to meet higher energy and nutrient requirements of the body during stress. In conjunction with minerals like magnesium and zinc they can become more potent.

Is it safe to take vitamins for stress?

If taken within the recommended doses under medical supervision, it is absolutely safe to take stress vitamins. They cannot do any harm, even if they do not benefit substantially.

What are the precautions needed when taking these stress vitamins?

Although it is safe to take stress vitamins, some precautions are always advisable.

• Pregnant or nursing women should refrain from taking any vitamin supplements without prescription from their physician.
• Anyone wanting to take higher doses must not do so without medical consultation.
• Anyone taking other medications on a regular basis must not take supplements without seeking the advice of a physician, because vitamins can interact with some medications.
• Stress vitamins must be purchased only from manufactures having pharmaceutical GMP-compliant facilities, which require adherence to the most rigorous manufacturing standards.

Is there any government policy on stress vitamins?

Some years back, a well-known drug company advertised their vitamin supplement named StressTabs. They made tall claims about the product. Some of their advertisements even tread that they are helpful to overcome the stress in a full fledged manner. The New York Attorney General banned the advertisement on the grounds that it is misleading.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holds the responsibility for regulating the manufacture of dietary supplements. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market.

Manufacturers must make sure that the information advertised on their product label is accurate. They should not publish false information. If they are found to indulge in any unethical practices then they have to face severe consequences from the law enforcers. FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety standards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates the advertising of dietary supplements, in newspapers/magazines, on radio/TV/Internet, or through direct mail to consumers. Whenever you suspect about a particular product you must immediately file a complaint before the concerned authority and if necessary take legal actions and see to that consumer like you are not taken for granted.