EVERYDAY things can ‘rob’ our body of important nutrients. This week: Stress steals B vitamins and magnesium
STRESS triggers the fight-or-flight response which inhibits digestion – meaning nutrients won’t be absorbed as they should.
"For example, some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a common symptom of stress – can lead to magnesium deficiency resulting in fatigue and nausea," says dietitian Jo Travers.
"Stress can lead to diarrhoea, which in turn can lead to malabsorption of nutrients because of the lowered transit time of food through the gut."
It’s a vicious circle because when it’s stressed, the body needs more nutrients, yet is deprived of them. In particular it needs B vitamins, essential for brain function and therefore mental health. It also needs magnesium, which helps block the stress hormone.
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