At some point in their life everyone experiences stress. Stress is our body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment. Our body is able to experience stress and react to it with physical, mental and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life, and can be positive or negative.

However, stress — whether physical, mental or emotional — can cause certain nutrients to be depleted from the body more rapidly. During times of stress your body uses up certain nutrients more quickly, particularly water-soluble vitamins including vitamin C and many of the B vitamins. Also, some minerals such as calcium may be lost during times of stress, especially when calcium intake is low.

Nearly everyone these days has a hectic life. Here are some tips and information about handling stress and its physical impact:

Effects of stress on the body: At some point in our lives, all of us experiences stress. Stress is our body’s reaction to any change in our lives that requires an adjustment. Our body is able to experience stress and react to it with physical, mental and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life, and can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress). An example of positive stress is starting a new job or getting a promotion that you have been wanting, or the birth of a baby. While all are happy occasions, they also come with a good deal of stress. On the other hand, when a person is constantly facing challenges without a break, negative stress, or distress, results. Distress can interrupt the body’s internal balance and can result in physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach and even problems with sleeping. Chronic negative stress has also been linked to bringing on or worsening certain diseases such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, and has been linked to weight gain as well.

Stress can deplete nutrients from the body: Stress, whether physical, mental or emotional, can cause certain nutrients to be depleted from the body more rapidly. During times of stress your body uses up certain nutrients more quickly, particularly water-soluble vitamins including vitamin C and many of the B vitamins. Also, some minerals such as calcium may be lost during times of stress, especially when calcium intake is low.

How supplements can help: Nutritional supplementation during times of stress can help restore the body with essential nutrients that have been depleted. To start, a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement can help ensure meeting basic nutritional needs. A multivitamin/mineral supplement contains vitamins and minerals required by the human body for good health and well-being. Additional vitamin C and a Stress B-complex supplement is recommended to help fight off the effects of stress and replenish levels in the body. Fatigue and a lack of energy are also results of chronic stress. Consider supplementing with the herb ginseng to help maintain physical and mental stamina. Ginseng is referred to as an “adaptogen,” an herb that helps the body cope with stress by relaxing the body during stressful times. Ginseng may also boost energy when one is suffering from extreme tiredness. Warning: If individuals are on blood thinning medications (i.e. coumadin, aspirin), have high blood pressure, or are taking diuretics, they should consult with their health care practitioner before taking ginseng to avoid adverse side effects.

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