The Amazing B's

In today's hectic world stress has become an epidemic. With most American adults trying to juggle full time employment with a full time family stress builds, and can become debilitating. Symptoms that are associated with stress are headaches, stiff neck, fatigue, insomnia, and sinusitis. With so much stress mounting in our lives, other illnesses can manifest. Depression can begin with stress that is not managed properly. Heart disease can be made worse by stress. What is a person to do about all this stress? One thing that you can look in to before rushing to your family doctor or off to a pricey one-time spa extravaganza, is observe your vitamin intake.Most of us have heard of folic acid being good for women of childbearing age. Folic acid prevents neural tube birth defects in unborn children. Folic acid also prevents anencephaly, a condition in which the brain never develops and spina bifida, when a segment of the spinal nerve cord grows outside the bony spinal column. I'm sure you've heard of these health benefits to babies, but did you know that folic acid also aids in preventing colon cancer and protects the heart by reducing the blood levels of homocystine. Homocystine, when elevated, may trigger hardening of the arteries, which then raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, or dementia.I bet your thinking; so what's this have to do with stress? Let me explain. Folic acid is part of the B vitamin family. B vitamins are part of a large family of related vitamins, some of them have names, and most are numbered. When found in one supplement they are usually called B-complex. B vitamins are important not only for our physical health but contribute to our mental health as well. The vitamins work best as a team. If you were to take a B-6 supplement alone, it would not be as effective as if you took a B-complex.Now that B vitamins and B-complex have been explained let's talk about stress. Vitamin B-5 (pathothenic acid) is often called the anti stress vitamin! Who knew a vitamin could alleviate stress? B-5 works to balance adrenal gland function to help balance mood. A deficiency in this vitamin or any of the other B's, including folic acid can lead to depression fatigue and insomnia. B vitamins do much more than enhance mood. Let's start with Vitamin B-12. B-12 (cobalamin) is key in proper nervous system development and prevention of infertility in men. B-12 also improves memory and heart health.B-6 (pyidoxine) has a role in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. Weakness, numbness, tingling and pain in the wrists and arms caused by repetitive motion characterize carpal tunnel syndrome. B-6 works by improving the function of the synovium, the sheath that surrounds the tendons. Diabetes and B-6 deficiency contribute to each other.Vitamin B-3 (niacin) improves blood circulation by dilating the arteries, especially in the brain. B-3 is key in metabolizing carbohydrates for boosting energy.B-2 (riboflavin) also metabolizes carbohydrates fat and protein and therefore creates energy. B-2 keeps the skin and eyes healthy and prevents mouth ulcers, migraine headaches and cataracts.Other members of the B family such as Thiamin, enhances ability to retain knowledge through memory. Isotol is involved in immunity, liver function and cell membrane health. Isotol also lowers cholesterol levels, improves injured skin and protects the heart. Choline helps liver function, heart health and memory. Biotin (B-7 , less commonly known as Vitamin H) is actually an integral part of growth in humans. Biotin has been suggested to cure baldness and alleviate muscle pain and depression. This member of the B-Complex family is also a cure for dermatitis.So you see the B's are a very important family of vitamins. The B's are needed for both physical and mental health. A shortage of these vitamins can cause loss of appetite, depression, memory loss and sluggish thinking. The best way to ensure that on is getting the proper balance of B's is to take a B-complex. It's good to find a B-Complex that you like and stick with it. You will be able to get a better grip on your everyday stress and you'll be doing your entire body a favor. The health benefits are truly amazing.