B-Complex Vitamins: What It Does to You
B-Complex Vitamins are essential in regulating our stress levels. They work by regulating the adrenal glands, serotonin, and homocysteine levels. These vitamins can help you reduce the adverse effects of stress and improve your overall health. Whether you suffer from anxiety, depression, or even high blood pressure, there is a vitamin that will help you deal with the stress you experience.
Regulates Serotonin Levels
Regulating serotonin levels is an integral part of stress management. Taking B-complex vitamins can help you achieve this goal. These vitamins are beneficial in several ways. One is through diet. Increasing the intake of foods rich in tryptophan will help your body produce more serotonin. Additionally, consuming more complex carbohydrates will encourage your body to produce more serotonin. Increasing serotonin levels gives you more energy and a better mood.
The stress B-Complex with vitamin is essential for psychological well-being. They act as co-enzymes in cellular energy production. They also have antioxidant properties that help keep essential functions operating smoothly. As such, these vitamins help you to enjoy a stress-free life.
Regulates Homocysteine Levels
High homocysteine levels are linked to several health issues. They have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, lowered mood and concentration, and repeated early miscarriages. Studies have also shown that elevated homocysteine levels increase the risk of osteoporosis and diabetes. Although high homocysteine levels are not a guarantee of premature death, they may be a determining factor in the longevity of a person’s life.
Although there is no upper reference limit for homocysteine levels, there is a range of groups considered normal for healthy adults. A concentration of five to fifteen umol/L is deemed low and poses little risk in healthy individuals. However, levels greater than fifteen umol/L are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Fortunately, this level can be lowered by dietary changes and vitamin supplementation. Vitamin B12, folate, zinc, and trimethylglycine are beneficial nutrients for lowering homocysteine levels.
Regulates Folic Acid Levels
Folic acid has several important roles, including preventing neural tube defects in utero. It also reduces homocysteine levels, which harm the developing nervous system. Folic acid is also beneficial for older adults, whose homocysteine levels tend to rise with age. It is, therefore, essential to supplement the diet with 400 mg of folic acid daily.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the US Institute of Medicine recently introduced new dietary recommendations for folate. This includes a new unit of measurement, the Dietary Folate Equivalent. The new measure reflects the bioavailability of synthetic folic acid in fortified foods and supplements compared to naturally occurring folates.
Reduces Stress
Taking B-Complex vitamins for stress reduction is essential for the health of the adrenal glands, which help the body deal with stress. These vitamins help the adrenal glands balance the hormones in the body and can reverse the effects of adrenal failure. They can also help balance cortisol, often called the “fight or flight” hormone.
B-Complex vitamins are found in many foods, each having a distinct role in keeping the body functioning well. They help with cell metabolism, the production of red blood cells, and the conversion of food into energy. Studies have shown that high doses of these vitamins reduce stress symptoms and homocysteine levels, a stress marker. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to heart disease and dementia.
