/EINPresswire.com/ -- PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwired - December 01, 2016) - Most people probably don't need to read a biometric study to know that the holidays can be stressful, but such a study has been performed. The findings: shopping can be as stressful as running a marathon, with shoppers' heart rates increasing by 32%. And that's just shopping; so far there are no hard data on how stressful cooking, decorating, traveling and in-laws can be.

Clearly, holiday stress can be significant, and many of us would benefit from tools to help us cope -- preferably something healthy. Luckily, there are several nutrients that have been clinically demonstrated to help alleviate stress.

Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids have been shown to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol (the "stress hormone") is produced by the adrenal gland as part of the fight-or-flight response. It promotes heightened alertness during dangerous or stressful situations.

Magnesium

Magnesium has a relaxing effect on both muscles and the brain. Like essential fatty acids, it reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Though magnesium appears to reduce stress, stress in turn appears to reduce magnesium. Those who experience stress over a long period of time show depleted levels of magnesium.

Gamma amino butyric acid

Also known as GABA, Gamma amino butyric acid, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is conducive to a relaxed state. Neurotransmitters all fall into one of two classes -- inhibitory or excitatory. In simple terms, excitatory neurotransmitters turn neurons on, while inhibitory neurotransmitters turn neurons off. If there is not enough GABA in the brain, too many neurons can be left in the "on" state, and relaxation can become difficult.

B-Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being. They cannot be stored in our bodies, so we depend entirely on our daily diet to supply them. B vitamins are required for the production of serotonin and norepinephrine and have been demonstrated to reduce stress in clinical trials.

Trimethylglycine

Trimethylglycine, or TMG, increases the body's natural production of SAMe or S-adenosyl methionine, which can elevate mood and help reduce the symptoms of stress.

Learn more about these nutrients at: kirkmangroup.com

About Kirkman^®:

Founded in 1949, Kirkman^® is the oldest nutritional supplement company serving the special needs community. This experience has allowed Kirkman^® to pioneer effective products in many areas of nutritional supplementation for individuals with special health needs.

Kirkman® is also a pioneer in the area of purity testing. Their Ultra Tested^® protocol calls for testing every raw ingredient in every nutritional supplement it produces for more than 950 environmental contaminants. No other nutritional supplement company comes close to this level of commitment to producing pure, contaminant free supplements.

To learn more about Kirkman^®, visit the company's website at: www.kirkmangroup.com.