Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
Vitamins for anxiety can help you feel less anxious and nervous, but they’re not a cure-all.
Vitamins are essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly. They play important roles in the body’s metabolism, growth and development and the production of energy.
In this article we look at some of the best vitamins for anxiety, including vitamin B12 and vitamin D3, along with other vitamins that may help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Vitamin B12
B12 deficiency is common in people with anxiety disorders because it can cause low levels of serotonin (1, 2). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite and sleep patterns (3).
One study found that giving participants with depression or anxiety high doses of B12 helped improve their symptoms (4). This was most likely due to its role in increasing levels of serotonin in the brain (5).
Other studies have also found that taking B12 supplements can decrease anxiety symptoms by 50% in just a few weeks (6). However, more research is needed before we can say whether B12 is effective at treating serious cases of anxiety disorder such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).

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Anxiety is a very common mental health issue that affects people of all ages. It can be so severe that it interferes with daily life and causes physical symptoms like headaches and nausea.
Anxiety disorders are treatable, but the most effective treatment is often medication. A combination of medication and therapy is often recommended, but there are also natural remedies that can help relieve anxiety.
One such remedy is vitamins. Taking vitamin supplements has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve mood in many people, including those with anxiety disorders.
Vitamins for Anxiety: B Vitamins
B vitamins are essential for energy production in the body and are also involved in serotonin metabolism. Serotonin is a hormone that helps balance mood, so if you have low serotonin levels, stress levels can increase significantly.
Studies have shown that many people who take B vitamins experience a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms after only one week of supplementation (1).
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an important role in neurotransmitter synthesis (2), which means it helps regulate brain chemistry so that you feel calmer and less stressed out when taking it regularly as part of your diet or as a supplement.
If you’re dealing with anxiety, then you know how difficult it can be to function day-to-day. Anxiety is a serious mental health condition that causes symptoms such as extreme fear, panic attacks and overwhelming feelings of dread.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., affecting nearly 45 million adults (18% of the population) each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
If you’re suffering with anxiety, there are many ways to manage your symptoms. One way is through nutrition and supplements. While there’s no cure for anxiety disorders, certain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in food may help ease your symptoms.
Best vitamins for anxiety
Here are five vitamins that can help alleviate anxiety:
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million people in the U.S., including 18 percent of women and 12 percent of men.
Anxiety can be debilitating, but it’s also highly treatable with therapy and/or medication. It’s also possible to manage your anxiety with diet and lifestyle changes. To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite foods and vitamins that can help ease your symptoms.
This article was written by Jessica Murnane, a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorder treatment and sports nutrition. She has worked with a number of Olympic-level athletes as well as several NCAA Division 1A football programs at Notre Dame University (and others).
Vitamin B Complex
The B vitamins can be found in a variety of food sources, including:
Beef liver
Fish
Liver
Beets
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains
Brewer’s yeast (a source of vitamin B12)
Vitamin B6 is important for the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Vitamin B6 can be found in many different foods, including:
Bananas
Poultry (including chicken)
Oatmeal
To sum up, there are a few vitamins and minerals that may help reduce anxiety but they still do not replace proper treatment. If you want to make sure you have a healthy and proper intake of vitamins, you need to pay attention to your diet as well.
Vitamin deficiencies are representative of larger nutritional problems that could itself be a cause or a result of anxiety. These vitamin deficiencies may also greatly contribute to the severity of an anxiety problem. Talking with a doctor who is knowledgeable in nutrition and vitamins as well as counseling for anxiety sufferers is advised if there are vitamin deficiencies in your diet and vitamin intake.
Using vitamins to help alleviate anxiety symptoms is an excellent step in the right direction when you’re trying to take control of your anxiety disorder. By far, the most essential vitamin for easing out of an anxious state is magnesium. This vital nutrient supports natural serotonin levels, which help relieve anxiety and stress. Magnesium is also needed for the relaxation response, a state-of-mind achieved through deep breathing techniques and meditation. And don’t forget vitamin D! Vitamin D deficiency is considered by experts to be a common cause of depression and other stress-related disorders. This vitamin also helps maintain a healthy immune system, which will come in handy when you are combating allergens that provoke your symptoms of anxiety.
Deficiencies in any of the above areas can cause anxiety, and picking up an over the counter vitamin supplement may help alleviate some of the effects.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single pill that treats anxiety. While some vitamins can help to elevate your mood, none can cure your anxiety. The right treatment will depend on how severe your anxiety symptoms are and which symptoms matter most. You should also work closely with your doctor, as they’ll be able to make a few recommendations to help you lead a better life.
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