Don’t Let Stress Harm Your Health

Stress interferes with B-12 absorption

If you’re always “stressed out,” your body could be lacking the B vitamins it needs. Stress can interfere with B-12 absorption by upsetting the balance of acids in your stomach. The acids in your stomach help separate B-12 from your food so your body can absorb it. When it inhibits B-12 absorption, stress can contribute to B-12 deficiency and may eventually lead to nervous exhaustion. Plus, stress is depriving you of the very nutrients that can actually help you handle stress. B-12 is considered one of the “anti-stress” vitamins; it helps improve mood and restore emotional balance.

Stress strips your body of important B vitamins

When your body is under any form of stress, it goes into “fight or flight” mode; it gathers all available resources – nutrients – to “fight” the stressor. Your body will deplete all these nutrients to “fight.” Unfortunately, B vitamins are some of the first nutrients to be depleted by stress. This can render you deficient in the very nutrients you need to fight the ravages of stress. By having a healthy level of nutrients in your body, you will be better equipped to handle stressful situations.

B-12 is the only nutrient that can repair nerve sheath damage caused by stress

Nerve sheaths encase your nerves, which allow your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. Stress creates wear and tear on these nerve sheaths, which decreases the efficiency of communication and can lead to energy loss. B-12 is the only nutrient that can repair this damage.