Stress is caused by many various factors, events and situations in life. We all get stressed daily and many of us manage to cope with the quite well. However, long term stress can be more difficult to deal with because it is not within our control. Examples of long term stress are lingering financial hardships and crisis within the family. Long term stress can erode our physical and mental health and in time manifest in the form of some serious illness.

Stress affects everyone but not everyone is able to get by with it. Ordinarily, the body can withstand stress be it physical or mental in nature. The first physical manifestation of stress is through the digestive system and the intestines. That is why highly stressed people are likely to develop conditions such as appetite loss, colitis, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and ulcers. If these conditions are not treated accordingly and the stress is not managed properly, the affected individual faces the risks of more serious disorders like impairment of the central nervous system. If you are suffering from long term stress and have reached this stage, it is imperative that you seek medical assistance. You can also benefit from taking vitamins and supplements under the supervision of your doctor.

Glutamine

Among the different vitamins and minerals recommended against stress is glutamine, an amino acid supplement that is critical in the treatment of stress-related diseases. Glutamine boosts the immune system and promotes the quick recovery from illnesses caused by stress. The function of glutamine is to strengthen the muscles that have grown weak because of stress and disease. If stress is making you sick, you should seriously consider taking glutamine supplements. The recommendation is to get its powder form. Powdered glutamine is tasteless and quickly dissolves in liquids. You can even increase your intake of glutamine to as much as 40 grams with no side effects.

Vitamin B5

Another vitamin that helps reverse the effects of stress on the body is pantothenic acid or vitamin B5. It is also called as the “anti-stress” vitamin. This form of vitamin B helps produce adrenal hormones and form antibodies. It is also instrumental in helping the body use the vitamins and transform protein, carbohydrates, and fats into energy. There is pantothenic acid in all the body cells so its deficiency affects the whole body.

Vitamin B-Complex

You will also need lots of vitamin B-complex if you want to fight stress. This group of vitamins helps the nervous system function normally despite the presence of stress. Vitamin B-complex is also available in the form of injectibles for immediate efficacy on a damaged immune system. In addition, they help boost brain power while easing anxiety at the same time. You can get shots of B-complex through a licensed medical practitioner.

The American Holistic Medical Associate recommends a combination of 200mg to 400mg of magnesium, 10mg to 100mg of B-complex vitamins, and 500mg to 3000mg of vitamin C in relieving stress and repairing the damages stress may have caused to the body. The benefit of magnesium is in blocking the ill effects of excess adrenaline, the hormone produced when one gets stressed enough. Studies on animals have show that vitamin B-complex and vitamin C also help reduce the damaging effects of stress.

Other than vitamins and supplements, the holistic approach uses other remedies to provide temporary relief from stress and relax a person. Said remedies are in the likes of teas, herbs and flower concoctions, reflexology, and aromatherapy,.

Stress can never be taken for granted as it greatly impacts one’s life. While vitamins and supplements provide effective help, their benefits are limited. Long term stress requires setting a logical plan of action that can help in the early resolution of the problem at hand. If you have reached a point where vitamins and supplements become ineffectual, it is time to seek professional medical care. This may be in the form of therapy and more potent medications that will keep you healthy until the resolution of your problem. On the other hand, if what bothers you are the daily, minor stress, you can benefit from visiting the nearby health food store and ask someone there about the best vitamins and supplements you can take for stress.