July 3, 2024 Dr. Edward Group, DC

The Top 15 Supplements & Vitamins for Stress Relief

Imagine going through the day with a constant happy vibe. You’re productive, content, and feeling good. In today’s busy world, we can easily forget it’s possible to feel stress-free and live in a peaceful state of mind. Your stress levels don’t have to be through the roof. In fact, chronic stress can have serious ramifications on your health. Getting to that peaceful place may require lifestyle and dietary changes, but it’s definitely possible.

After I changed my diet and my lifestyle decades ago, I went from being depressed to having a positive state of mind almost all of the time. One of the best things I did during this shift was to start paying close attention to my nutrition. I realized there were some important nutrients I wasn’t getting in my diet, so I started taking high-quality supplements — including vitamins, minerals, and herbs — to fill the gaps.

Being low on certain vitamins or minerals can lead to the feeling you know of as anxiety or stress. People who are missing essential nutrients in their diets are more likely to have mood disorders. Counteracting those deficiencies by taking daily supplements can help improve symptoms and get you on the right track.^[1]

Top Supplements & Vitamins for Stress

The following vitamins, minerals, and supplements are the best ones I’ve found for countering daily stress and creating a positive, carefree mood.

Minerals

Minerals are compounds formed naturally in the Earth, some of which are essential for our health. A few minerals play a clear role in mental wellness and promoting a healthy response to stress.

Magnesium

This essential mineral increases your body’s production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that encourages relaxation and even sleep.^[2] If you’re low or deficient in magnesium — far too common in North America — it can directly cause low-stress tolerance and agitation.^[3]

Magnesium is a mineral that you can find in foods like green leafy vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Luckily for you chocolate lovers, this comfort food is rich in magnesium! Choose dark chocolate with more than 70 percent cacao.

Zinc

The essential mineral zinc is integral to your immune system and brain. People with lower zinc levels are more prone to depression.^[1] When people took zinc daily for 10 weeks, they reported feeling a lifted mood and more positive feelings.^{[4, 5]}

You’ll find zinc in hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils, black beans, oats, wild rice, quinoa, pecans, mushrooms, and spinach, to name a few.^[5]

Lithium Orotate

Lithium is an alkali metal that you need in trace amounts. Incredibly, studies have linked the presence of this nutrient in drinking water to happier states of mind and more peacefulness across entire neighborhoods.^[6] It positively affects your brain health, nervous system, mood, and immunity.^[7]

Lithium orotate is lithium bonded to orotic acid. This tiny molecule is able to cross the blood-brain barrier as well as cell walls, making it readily available for brain health. Small servings can have very positive effects on your emotional well-being.^[7]

Vitamins

Vitamins are compounds that play a crucial role in many body processes. However, you must get them from dietary sources since your body does not make them. Below are the vitamins that affect the stress response.

Vitamin D

Most individuals in the United States are low in vitamin D — an essential nutrient. Vitamin D not only helps your body absorb calcium, but it’s also important for a happy mood.^[8] Since most people get their vitamin D from sunshine, you may not get enough, especially in the winter.

Lack of vitamin D can lead to depression and an increase in stress and anxiety.^[9] Light therapy or supplementation can help, as there are not too many vitamin D-rich foods. Global Healing’s Global Healing's Vitamin D3 contains lichen-derived D3 — the most absorbable form of the vitamin.

Vitamin B Complex

One of the main benefits of taking a vitamin B complex supplement is its positive impact on mood and stress. A vitamin B complex supplement usually includes thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid or folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12).

A lack of B12, in particular, is linked to low mood and high stress. Men who took a B complex supplement along with vitamin C for around a month reported that their mental health was better, and they had less stress.^[10] In another case, men and women taking a vitamin B complex reported improvements in their mood and stress.^[11] That’s good news!

Herbs

Several herbs, which you can find in capsules, extracts, or tea, can help lift your mood and reduce the effects of stress. Below are the best of the best!

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a popular herb in Indian culture. This plant has a positive impact on stress, anxiety, and memory. When people took ashwagandha for two months, it reduced levels of cortisol — the stress hormone — in their blood.^[10] Cortisol increases when you're under pressure, and it affects your memory, immune system, weight, and more. Researchers also noted that ashwagandha didn't cause any serious side effects.^[12]

Valerian Root

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb that has a calming effect on the body by supporting healthy levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. It lowers nervous tension and reduces anxiety and daily stress, as well.^{[13, 14]} Ancient Greeks used this herb to improve sleep, and today it's still popular among people who experience trouble sleeping. In fact, it’s the most commonly used sleeping aid in Europe. So if you do take valerian for stress, you may want to take it later in the day to avoid daytime drowsiness.

Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Holy basil or tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) has a lovely, spice-like taste and aroma that resembles nutmeg. Tulsi is an adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt or adjust to stress. It’s popular in teas as well as nutritional supplements. As a supplement, it has been shown to help improve mood and daily stress and anxiety.^[15]

Ginseng

Korean or red ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an incredible herb with health-giving properties. In fact, Panax means “cure-all” in Greek. It can boost energy, reduce fatigue, increase alertness, lower stress, and lift mood. It’s known as a brain-boosting nootropic, as well as an adaptogen. Korean ginseng also has robust antioxidant activity that may reduce oxidative stress and protect brain cells.^[16]

Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea is a flowering plant that grows in cold climates. People typically use it for anxiety, headaches, depression, and stress.^[17] Rhodiola is an adaptogen that normalizes body processes and hormones. When a group of people who had anxiety, stress, and other mood issues took Rhodiola, they experienced less anxiety, stress, anger, depression, and confusion.^[18]

Bacopa

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is an Indian herb with small, white flowers. For centuries, people have used Bacopa to improve memory and lessen stress. In recent times, when a group of people took this herb for 12 weeks, they felt less depressed and anxious.^[19] As a bonus, they also did better on a memory test. It’s thought that Bacopa helps regulate stress hormones.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant that is popular in teas and supplements. People often dry and prepare its yellow flowers to help depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Today, it's easy to find St. John's wort in supplement form. It may help you better manage stress.^[20]

Other Supplements

Some supplements don’t fall cleanly into the categories of mineral, vitamin, or herbal supplement. However, they have an important and positive effect on health — in this case, brain health and the stress response.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in some tea leaves. As a supplement, you can buy it in a powder or pill form. L-theanine helps people manage stress and feel calm. People taking L-theanine may have lower cortisol levels, less stress, and less anxiety.^[21] This amino acid promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness.^[22]

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of essential fat that your body needs. Since the brain is composed mainly of fat, it makes sense that they play an important role in cognitive function and the brain’s response to stress.^[23] When people with anxiety took omega-3 fatty acid supplements, they reported feeling calmer and less stressed.^[24]

You can find these fatty acids in nuts, seeds, fish, and plant oils. I recommend plant-based options, like flaxseed oil, olive oil, and algae oil for best results.

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that help balance gut bacteria inside your body. The gut plays a crucial and often underappreciated role in mental health, including how much stress you feel.

Probiotic bacteria in the gut help make most of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to happiness and well-being. Probiotic bacteria live symbiotically within our bodies, and we need a healthy gut microbiota for mental wellness.^[25] An advanced probiotic blend like Global Healing's Ultimate Probiotic that has 25 unique strains and 75 billion CFUs provides well-rounded support for your gut and mind. You can also find probiotics in fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, and non-dairy yogurt.

Other Tips for Managing Stress

Taking herbs and vitamins isn't the only way to manage stress. From getting a good night's sleep to meditating more often, there are simple modifications you can make to feel better. The bottom line is that you should find what is really at the root of your stress and take action to reduce it. Experiencing stress over the long term can have detrimental impacts on various aspects of your health, so take it seriously. Here are a few ideas:

Go for a walk outdoors
Get more exercise
Try deep-breathing exercises
Meditate at least 10 minutes per day
Get adequate sleep
Create a gratitude journal
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
Talk to a counselor

If you're not able to manage stress on your own and it's affecting your ability to enjoy life, please reach out to someone you trust for help.

Points to Remember

When you're feeling stressed, certain supplements and vitamins can provide a natural way to manage stress with few side effects. Improving the nutritional content of your diet is the first option, but where your diet falls shorts, you can add in supplements.

Minerals that may help include magnesium, zinc, and lithium orotate. Vitamin D, the B-complex vitamins (particularly B12), and other supplements like probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and L-theanine are also beneficial. Herbs that can play a positive role in your response to stress include ashwagandha, valerian root, Korean ginseng, Rhodiola, Bacopa, and St. John's wort.

There is a strong link between your physical health and emotional health, so try exercise, walking outdoors in nature, meditation, or journaling to alleviate stress. Also, focus on eating a healthy diet and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.

Stress reduction is an essential part of taking care of your health. We all deserve to live a happy life. You are worth it!

References (25)

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†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

Posted in: Health > Whole Body Wellness, Mind and Body > Mental Wellness, Mind and Body > Stress, Nutrition > Supplements > Minerals, Nutrition > Supplements > Vitamins,

Dr. Edward Group, DC

FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.