Stress Defense

Needed for immune function and healthy skin and gut lining; most people get enough from diet.

Supports immune function and acts as an antioxidant; moderate doses may reduce colds during heavy training, while very high doses may blunt training adaptations.

An antioxidant vitamin; most people get enough from diet, and high doses offer no performance benefit.

A B vitamin involved in turning food into energy; supplementing helps only if your diet is short on it.

Involved in energy metabolism and making neurotransmitters; supplementing helps only if intake is low.

Needed for red blood cells and nerve function; especially relevant for vegans and vegetarians.

A B vitamin involved in turning food into energy; supplementing helps only if your diet is short on it.

An electrolyte and bone mineral; sweat losses are small compared with sodium.

Dried bovine adrenal gland, marketed for stress; there's no good evidence it helps, and its hormone content isn't standardized.

Ginseng-type herbs are studied for energy, stress and recovery; results are mixed and many studies are small.

An adaptogenic herb studied for fatigue and stress; results for exercise and mental performance are mixed.

An adaptogenic berry studied for fatigue and stress; human evidence is limited.

Licorice root is used for stress and adrenal support, but evidence is limited; with regular use, glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and lower potassium.