What vitamin should be taken to combat stress and anxiety? Stress can have a significant impact on mental and overall health. Foods play a key role in managing it, especially micronutrients and, therefore, vitamins.
Dr. Guillaume, a psychiatrist and cellular and molecular biology expert, researcher in psychonutrition, offers useful advice.
What is stress and what causes it?
Stress is a physiological, emotional, and behavioral response triggered by the nervous system to allow the body to adapt to a challenge or danger. Like anxiety, which is very close, stress is a natural and healthy response when it occurs in a justified manner. However, for some people who are more vulnerable to it, it can become excessive or chronic and can have detrimental effects when it comes to anxiety issues, explains Dr. Fond.
Stress can be broken down into several types, depending on its cause and manifestation:
- Acute stress, which is a unique reaction to an immediate or short-term situation (for example, speaking in public, avoiding an accident). It is characterized by a rapid increase in cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormones), followed by a return to normal once the situation is resolved.
- Chronic stress, which results from prolonged exposure to critical factors (for example, financial worries, overwork, relationship conflicts).
It is the one that is particularly likely to cause mental and physical health problems, says the specialist.
Suffering (or negative stress) occurs when stress exceeds the capacity to adapt, causing adverse effects on well-being.
Stress can be caused by external factors, such as pressure at work, financial problems, conflictual relationships, significant life changes (moving, grief, divorce), or internal factors, such as high levels of demand, fear of failure, abandonment, attachment to a good reputation, lack of emotional regulation, or chronic health issues.
What vitamin should be taken to combat stress and anxiety?
Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating stress and mental health in general. Studies show significant links between adequate levels of vitamin D and better stress management, as well as a reduction in associated disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This can be explained by several phenomena: the brain has specific receptors for vitamin D, especially in areas related to mood, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Therefore, it is involved in regulating neuronal activity and protecting nerve cells.
This fat-soluble vitamin also influences serotonin synthesis and has a neuroprotective effect, meaning it helps protect neurons from oxidative damage and inflammation, both of which can exacerbate anxiety.
This vitamin is found in fatty fish (sardines, mackerel), egg yolks, and fortified products (especially dairy products).
Vitamin D is also produced in approximately 90% through the skin during sun exposure, which is insufficient between September and June for most of the population.
Therefore, vitamin D dietary supplements should be taken daily throughout the year and not just during the winter months.
