Adequate Mineral Levels In The Body Can Reduce Stress

In addition to carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that the body requires for normal metabolism. When we encounter stress, the nutrients are used up faster than they are during normal body function. When these nutrients become depleted the body because strained to maintain metabolism, however most often than not normal body function ceases. This is normally when we see signs of disease, infections and illness. Chronic stress causes signs of stress can cause headaches, back pain, muscle tension, ulcers, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Restoring essential nutrients to the body daily is one of the best ways to keep the bodies functioning on track. Therefore it is recommended to take a daily multivitamin and multi mineral to supplement our food intake. By supplementing our nutrients we can reduce stressful influence and stave off additional stressful occurrences. Magnesium, calcium, chromium, selenium, and zinc can all be used to reduce and relieve stress within the body.

Magnesium-
Magnesium is a vital part of cells, bones, and smooth muscles. It protects arteries, and controls the absorption of potassium and calcium. Magnesium plays a major role in manipulating biological compounds in the body such as ATP, DNA, and RNA. Magnesium is required in stabilizing excited nerves and blood vessel spasms, which occur during times of stress. Magnesium deficiency has led to asthma, lowered energy, sleeplessness, headaches, muscle aches, tension, soreness, fatigue, anxiety, seizures, nervousness, insomnia, and heart problems. Magnesium can be found in foods such as almonds, avocado, beans, broccoli, kale, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, potatoes, banana, kiwi, tofu, soymilk, halibut, oysters, beef, chicken, and turkey.

Calcium-
Calcium is an essential mineral for a healthy life. Most of calcium in the body is mineralized in bones and teeth. The rest plays an important role in cellular process such as neurotransmitter release and muscle contractions. Calcium is pertinent for building strong, dense bones early in life to keep them healthy throughout ones lifetime. Calcium helps with relaxation through cellular muscle contractions. Calcium can be found in kelp, nuts and seeds, beans, oranges, figs, quinoa, collard greens, okra, broccoli, kale, milk, cheese, orange juice and soymilk.

Selenium-
Selenium works best when paired with Vitamin E to combat stress. Vitamin E fights the body’s physical reaction to stress. Selenium is an antioxidant that when combined with the antioxidant vitamin E doubles the effectiveness to alleviate stress. Selenium is typically found in nuts and seafood.

Zinc-
Zinc increases the body’s resistance to infection, which can be effective during times of stress. Chronic stress depresses the body’s immune system making it harder to fight off infections and diseases. Zinc improves the body’s ability to cope with stress and stressful situations. Zinc can be found in beef, chicken, seafood, milk, cheese, cereal and potatoes.

Chromium-
Chromium is a trace element that is an important nutritional component for health. Chromium is involved in controlling both blood sugar levels and fat levels and cholesterol synthesis.  Additionally, chromium levels coincide with the body’s production of DHEA, an adrenal gland hormone that produces other hormones in the body. DHEA is essential in many physiological functions within the body such as immune function, brain function and stress response. Low levels of chromium levels correlate with lowered production of DHEA hormones. Adequate DHEA gives the body the ability to cope with stress and keep the immune system strong to fight off infection and disease.  Chromium can be found in onions, romaine lettuce, and tomatoes.  When taking chromium as a nutritional supplement, chromium picolinate is the best form of supplement to take.

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