Night Shift Vitamins

Starting to take a new vitamin or supplement should be something you talk about with your doctor first.

While you can buy almost everything over the counter and online without a fuss, not all of these tablets are necessary or even recommended based on your personal health conditions and past medical history.

My aim, as a fellow night shift worker and nurse is to educate you on the possible vitamins you could consider taking while working nights. There is no blanket rule for everyone. Some vitamins will have amazing effects on some people, whilst doing the complete opposite for others.

Magnesium

“Magnesium is an essential mineral, one of seven essential macro-minerals that the human body needs in large quantities”. (source) But the interesting thing is, our bodies don’t naturally produce it. We need to get it from foods and drinks high in magnesium like:

• Legumes
• Unprocessed whole grains
• Broccoli, squash and green leafy vegetables
• Seeds and nuts especially almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and cashews
• Dairy products such as meats, chocolate and coffee.
• Water with a high mineral content, or “hard” water, is also a source of magnesium
• Coffee

But why is Magnesium so “essential?”

You may have heard that magnesium is linked to strong bone growth. While that’s true (source) it is useful for so many other purposes such as:

• Proper functioning of nerves and muscles
• In the stomach, magnesium helps neutralize stomach acid and moves stools through the intestine.
• Improved heart health (source) and lowering blood pressure particularly in those with insulin resistance, prediabetes or other noncommunicable chronic diseases.

Vitamins B6 and niacin help your body produce tryptophan, which is necessary for the creation of melatonin. However, a deficiency in any vitamin can affect your sleep, your work performance and your overall health.

This fat-soluble nutrient works with calcium to promote strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. It's also involved in cell production, neuromuscular and immune function, and the reduction of inflammation.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is the essential amino acid that helps to improve brain function and well-being. A lack of this component can possibly lead to mood disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other health issues. It is found in abundance in Turkey, so it is among the necessary and best supplements for night shift.?????

Melatonin

It is a natural hormone by the pineal gland that helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycles. Why this is among the best supplements for night shift workers is it helps to get quality sleep. If you take it as a supplement, it allows you to enjoy uninterrupted sleep and take complete rest before your next shift.??

Vitamin B6

If you want to continue doing your job without restlessness, Vitamin B6 is among the best supplements for night shift. It helps with the proper brain development and keeps the people actively working in the night shifts. If you intake Vitamin B6 in a required amount, it helps to improve your mood, brain functions and?cope with stress. It is the best Vitamin for night shift workers who want to work seamlessly.?