Understanding the Impact of Personalized Vitamin Technologies on Anxiety

The problem: many consumers that would benefit from the right mix of vitamins to address their anxiety are not finding that formula in the crowded vitamin aisles. Personalized vitamins are an emerging category of consumer products that provide an upfront, technology-based assessment of individual needs, and recommend a specific formula that can help with health attributes like anxiety. 

Let’s explore anxiety. It is a disorder with a huge spectrum of manifestations. This state of feeling unsettled, nervous, and overly concerned can often be accompanied by very physical manifestations.

Many people experience chronic low levels of anxiety that underlie their daily lives, while others experience very discrete episodes of full-scale panic attacks with extremely physical symptoms, such as a sensation of palpitations, chest discomfort, or trouble breathing. Needless to say, you should consult with your health-care provider about any of these complaints, since some other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms. If anxiety is in fact determined to be the cause, then there are a number of approaches to consider. There are lifestyle interventions that can be useful. Getting regular exercise is a wonderful way to blow off steam and help reduce anxiety. During exercise your body senses that it is time to release certain stress hormones and endorphins. These are the hormones that help raise your heart rate and blood pressure and get your mind hyper-focused. This is a strikingly similar experience to a moment of anxiety or panic. With exercise, however, when you stop the activity, the body gradually returns to normal. Doing this on a regular basis keeps your body trained to go through this ritual when exercising, but not so much at other times. Regular exercise actually lowers your resting heart rate between exercise episodes. It has been reported that superstar athletes like Michael Jordan have resting heart rates in the 30s (normal for adults is typically 60–90). Sometimes just taking a vigorous walk can go a long way toward melting away anxiety. Even better if it’s with a friend and you can talk it out a bit! 

Beyond cardio exercise, a multitude of other regular habits can be extremely effective in minimizing anxiety. Disciplines in mindfulness and meditation as well as yoga and Pilates are all means to learn breathing techniques and mental strategies that help your body naturally calm itself. These disciplines bear striking similarity to techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches practitioners to use their own physical cues and body awareness to promote self-regulated techniques for reducing stress and anxiety. Guided imagery techniques for meditation can accomplish similar results. These are worthwhile pursuits for anyone with anxiety of any type and seem especially helpful for those with situational anxiety (i.e., anxiety triggered in certain predictable situations such as a fear of flying, heights, etc.).

It will take a holistic approach of several lifestyle interventions to address anxiety, but vitamins can play a role. Finding a personalized vitamin blend is important to ensure that anxiety is considered with nutrient composition and dosing. Find a personalized vitamin brand with physician involvement and signals of trustworthiness like positive customer reviews and a track record in the marketplace. Once you select your personalized vitamin blend, it is important to stick with your new routine and give it time to take effect. You may start to notice an improvement in your anxiety levels.