Fighting anxiety naturally with B vitamins

June 21, 7:12 PMDetroit Mental Health ExaminerApril Star

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 Many stores carry at least one brand of B vitamins.

Research has shown that a deficiency in B vitamins can affect your mood and lead to anxiety and depression.

• B1 aka Thiamine - B1 is needed by the body but the body doesn't create it, so it must be replenished every day through the diet.  You can get B1 naturally through breads, cereals, pasta, grains, lean meats, fish, dried beans, peas, and soybeans.
• B3 aka Niacin - B3 is metabolized into 5-HTP which leads to seratonin production.  Niacin is found naturally in dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, and eggs.
• B5 aka Pantothenic acid - Found in dairy, eggs, and fish, and is responsible for helping create a natural chemical which helps lead to the production of a neurotransmitter.
• B6 aka Pyridoxine HCL - This is an essential vitamin that the body is unable to produce on its own.  Proven to reduce anxiety this vitamin can be found in beans, legumes, meats, nuts, eggs, fish, cereals, grains, and breads.
• B9 aka Folic Acid, Folate - Found in legumes, whole grains, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits, B9 is closely related to biochemical processes involving SAM-e. 
• B12 aka Cyanocobalamin - This essential vitamin occurs naturally in animal products such as dairy, fish, poultry, and other meats, also in breads and cereals.  The National Institute of Health suggests that a deficiency in B12 can contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress. 

Clearly the B vitamins are a necessity for the body.  If you can't seem to shake that anxious feeling it could be worth it to talk to your primary care physician about taking a B vitamin, or B complex.