In another article I discussed potential minerals for sufferers of anxiety and panic attacks, so it’s only appropriate to discuss vitamins for anxiety.


Let’s begin with Vitamin C:

I was able to glean some interesting information from WebMD and the National Institutes of Health’ MedlinePlus. For instance, some people use vitamin C for depression, thinking problems, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, physical and mental stress, fatigue, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Vitamin C is essential for proper functioning of the adrenal glands and brain chemistry.

Vitamin C is found in many foods; fruits, vegetables and even meat poultry and fish.

Good vegetable sources of Vit C are:
broccoli,
bell peppers,
kale,
cauliflower,
mustard and turnip greens,
brussels sprouts,
chard,
cabbage,
spinach,
lettuce,
asparagus
fennel,
celery
peppermint and parsley,
snow peas,
zucchini.

Good fruit sources of Vit C are:
cantaloupe,
oranges,
grapefruit,
limes,
kiwifruit
tomatoes,
raspberries,
papaya,
pineapples,
strawberries,
lemons,
watermelon.

B Vitamins:

Again I was able to glean some interesting information from WebMD and the National Institutes of Health’ MedlinePlus. The B vitamins are essential for proper functioning of the adrenal glands and help maintain nervous system functioning.

Vitamin B1: Said to help reduce anxiety and have an overall calming effect on the nerves.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Has sort of a dual function producing both an energizing effect as well as a calming one. It is significant contributor in the production of certain brain chemicals.
Vitamin B12: EatRight Ontario indicates that our body needs vitamin B12 to help maintain our health and that it is important to make sure our bodies get enough of this vitamin.Vitamin B12 makes healthy blood cells and helps keep our nerves working properly.
B Vitamin Niacinamide (not niacin): Can have a calming effect.

Good sources of B Vitamins include meat, dairy products and eggs and many other vegetarian alternatives in the form of fortified foods.

So what is my take on vitamins for panic attacks?
I believe in taking a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement which includes both Vitamin C and a Vitamin B Complex, given they’re essential for proper nervous system and adrenal function and given their other applications noted above. Of course like anything related to health, you should always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting something new.

A caveat: some people will go out and buy a particular supplement telling themselves “I need this vitamin for panic attacks” and others might try the latest craze…but the best approach to anxiety is evidence based practices. That’s exactly what I’d like to discuss in my free newsletter… I will show you how to use an-all-encompassing approach to anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia. All you need to do is enter your email in the box below.


References (Vitamins for Anxiety)

EatRight Ontario. What you need to know about vitamin B12. Retrieved December 21, 2012, from:
https://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Nutrients-(vitamins-and-minerals)/What-you-need-to-know-about-vitamin-B12.aspx
Neurogistics. Panic Disorder. Retrieved December 21, 2012, from:
http://www.neurogistics.com/Conditions/PanicDisorder.asp
Medline Plus. B Vitamins.(Updated November 2012) Retrieved December 21, 2012, from:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bvitamins.html
Medline Plus. Vitamin C. (Updated August 2011) Retrieved December 21, 2012, from:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
Heydaya, R. Psychology Today. Vitamin B12. (February 2012) Retrieved December 23, 2012, from:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/health-matters/201202/vitamin-b12
WebMD. B Vitamins Directory. Retrieved December 27, 2012, from:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/b-vitamins-directory
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). WebMD. Retrieved December 27, 2012, from:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1001-vitamin%20c%20(ascorbic%20acid).aspx?activeIngredientId=1001&activeIngredientName=vitamin%20c%20(ascorbic%20acid)