Author Archives: Professional Supplement Center

B Vitamins for Stress

b-vitamins-stress

The health benefits of B vitamins are well known. Our bodies use them in countless ways to function.

The B vitamins include the following:

  • B1
  • B2
  • B3
  • B5
  • B6
  • B7
  • B9
  • B12

We get B vitamins through diet and foods such as protein (fish, eggs, poultry, and other meats), dairy products, leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, and some fortified bread and cereal.

B vitamins play a critical role in helping our bodies turn the foods we eat into energy. They’re also essential in the formation of red blood cells. Other roles that B vitamins play include:

  • Cell growth and metabolism
  • Nerve function
  • DNA production
  • Keeping digestive system healthy
  • Keeping skin healthy
  • Brain health
  • Immune system health
  • And more

Another meaningful way that B vitamins benefit our health? B vitamins can also have a positive effect on stress and mood.

B Vitamins for Stress

B vitamins have many potential benefits when it comes to combatting stress as well. One study examined the benefits of B-vitamin supplements on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress in both “healthy” and “at-risk” populations.

The study showed that regular B vitamin supplementation had a notably positive effect on stress for healthy and at-risk participants. The study noted that their research found B vitamin supplementation may be particularly beneficial against stress in those at risk due to poor nutrient status due to ow B vitamin intake in a diet for any number of reasons, or poor overall mood status.

Another study found that B vitamins had a positive effect on stress and performance. The study looked at the effect of a high dose vitamin B complex supplement (along with vitamin C) on a group of healthy adults. Those who utilized the high dose vitamin B complex supplement reported significant improvements in mood, general health, and perceived stress. They also rated themselves as higher for energy or vigor and as experiencing less mental fatigue.

Those who experience anxiety and depressive symptoms from diagnosed depression have benefited from B vitamins. Another study found that those who utilized a vitamin B complex supplement showed consistent and continuous improvements in anxious and depressive symptoms compared to those who did not take the supplement.

If you’re interested in B vitamins for stress, consider these supplements from Designs for Health, Vital Nutrients, and Neurobiologix.

Homocysteine Supreme – Designs for Health

Homocysteine Supreme from Designs for Health is a dietary supplement that contains a proprietary blend of active isomer naturally-occurring folates known to facilitate the efficient metabolism of homocysteine. Its potential benefits include helping in tissue formation, the functioning of the liver, skin, and immune system, and helping in forming red blood cells. B vitamins have also been found to aid in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also supports biochemical reactions like detoxification, healthy immune function, joint and cartilage structure, and brain and cardiovascular health.

B-Complex – Vital Nutrients

B-Complex from Vital Nutrients is a balanced, high-potency dietary supplement containing B vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid niacinamide, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. This comprehensive B complex supplement supports a healthy nervous system, helps to maintain protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, and promotes homocysteine conversion.

Methyl Folate Plus – Neurobiologix

Methyl Folate Plus from Neurobiologix is a professional-grade dietary supplement for those who need support overcoming deficiencies in the cellular delivery of methyl folate. Those who have methylation deficiencies due to genetic weaknesses may have difficulty absorbing folic acid, or those who need additional nervous and immune system support. Each serving of this supplement contains vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin-5-Phosphate), Vitamin B3 (as Niacinamide), and folate (derived from L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt and Folinic acid calcium salt).

Do you use B vitamins for stress?

Safety Tips for Student Athletes

safety tips for student athletes

Try these safety tips for student athletes.

Spring sports season is just getting started, which means parents and athletes are training and getting geared up to compete. Every season brings new goals, challenges and opportunities for growth. Whether you have a high school athlete showing off to college scouts or a toddler on a tee-ball field, safety is a top priority for parents and caregivers.

In honor of National Athletic Training Month, our team has gathered safety tips for student athletes and their caregivers to ensure safety this season.

Try These Safety Tips for Student Athletes

Don’t Skimp on Stretching

Stretching and warming up before activity may not be the highlight of playing, but it’s an essential step in smart sports. Warming up and stretching before activity can help ease your body into aerobic exercise and prevent injuries. Not only is stretching preventative, it loosens muscles, improves movement and has a positive outcome on overall performance.

Get the Right Equipment 

Making sure your student athlete has the gear they need to succeed is one of the best ways you can support them. Playing or training in ill-fitting clothes or worn-out gear can lead to frustration and injury.

Stay Hydrated

No matter the season or your location, dehydration is always a possibility with athletics. Ensure that your kids always have water on hand throughout the year, but particularly during practice and games. If you’re unsure that your student is properly hydrated, urine color can be an indicator, clear urine typically means proper hydration. Warning signs of dehydration include: dizziness, dry mouth, muscle cramps, increased heart rate, nausea, and vomiting.

Educate Yourself on Concussion Warning Signs

If you pay attention to sports news, you understand just how serious head injuries can be. If a child has taken a blow or bump to the head, they should be monitored by coaches and parents afterward before returning to the field. Appearing dazed or stunned, memory recall issues, slow speech or sluggish movement are just a few signs of concussion and should be taken seriously.

Make Rest a Priority

Student athletes are busy, not only do they have sports, but they probably also have homework, friends, family, and other extra-curriculars. In the midst of a busy week, it can be tempting to let their sleep schedule slide.

In fact, according to research student athletes should get 1-2 hours more sleep than students who are not involved in sports.

Supplements & Products to Support Student Athletes

Nutrition is a key factor in setting your student athletes up for success. Supplements and nutritional support products are another factor in giving them the energy they need. Here are a few products recommended for student athletes.

Athletic Nutrients from Pure Encapsulations

Best suited for older teen athletes, Athletic Nutrients from Pure Encapsulations is a multivitamin and mineral complex to support performance. Created to enhance exercise performance and training this product may promote energy, stamina and lessen muscle fatigue.

Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Packets by Ultima Health Products

High energy exercise can lead to dehydration and a loss of electrolytes. Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Packets by Ultima Health Products is an advanced drink mix designed to provide Optimal hydration through a balance of macro and micro-essential electrolytes.

Raw, Organic Protein from Garden of Life

Protein helps the body repair and recover after activity, and most athletes extra more protein to sustain performance. Raw, Organic Protein from Garden of Life provides high quality, plant-based protein plus live probiotics and enzymes to aid in performance and recovery.

Did we miss any essential safety tips for student athletes? Tell us what you would include in the comments section below.

How to Keep Your Brain Sharp

keep your brain sharp

Here are some ways to help keep your brain sharp.

No matter your age, maintaining healthy cognitive function is the foundation for a full and satisfying life. We all forget where our keys are or have to rack our brain to remember why we came into the bedroom in the first place, but memory is just a small portion of what your brain does. Brain Awareness Week is March 14, and the focus of this week is to educate and raise support for brain science.

This week the Professional Supplement Center team has the information and supplements you need to keep your brain sharp.

5 Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp 

There are several habits you can integrate into your daily routine to promote cognitive health.

Get Your Heart Pumping

Cardiovascular health is a key part of keeping your brain sharp and healthy. Multiple studies show that regular cardio exercise is the number one thing you can do to support brain health. It also plays a role in keeping blood pressure regulated and can stabilize mood and sleep cycles as well.

Schedule and Attend Your Regular Checkups

Getting a regular check-up and making sure you are completing recommended regular testing is a key part of maintaining brain health. These routine visits are designed to raise potential red flags that may indicate more serious issues.

Integrate Puzzles and Games into Your Life

When it comes to cognitive decline, if you regularly use your brain and all five of your senses it will thank you. According to Harvard Medicine, “The more senses you use in learning something, the more of your brain that will be involved in retaining the memory.”

Prioritize Sleep

When you cheat yourself of sleep, your body and brain suffers. Sufficient sleep is what allows your brain to fully process information and function properly. The more you prioritize restful sleep each night the better your chances of a sharp mind later in life.

Stay Social

When you stay engaged with friends and keep a full social calendar your brain stays busy. Maintaining meaningful, enjoyable relationships is a key part of brain health at any age.

Supplements to Support Brain Health

The Professional Supplement Center is well-stocked with products to keep your brain sharp, here are a few we recommend.

Brain and Memory Power Boost by Brain MD 

Specially formulated to promote healthy brain metabolism, Brain and Memory Power Boost by Brain MD is a highly recommended supplement for cognitive support. Vinpocetine and ginkgo biloba extract work in tandem to support healthy blood flow to the brain while PhosphatidylSerine provides the building blocks for cell membranes.

ProDHA Memory from Nordic Naturals

Omega-3s are a powerful support for brain health and ProDHA Memory from Nordic Naturals has a blend of omega-3s designed to support the structure and function of brain cells. It also contains a blend of optimized curcumin, phosphatidylcholine, and huperzine A to support neural communication and protect neurons by modulating the effects of oxidative stress.

Dr. Formulated Brain Health, Memory and Focus for Adults 40+ from Garden of Life

As we age, our nutrient needs change. Dr Formulated Brain Health, Memory and Focus for Adults 40+ from Garden of Life provides clean, whole-food ingredients like organic grape extract and organic wild blueberry extract, which may improve memory performance and cognitive function in healthy adults.

What habits have you developed to keep your brain sharp? Share them with our community in the comments section below.