Anxiety is a condition that is very disruptive to daily life.
Could there be a nutritional component to anxiety?
Over the years, I have talked to hundreds of anxiety sufferers. Each case is very different. However, there is one common thread all these cases share …nutritional deficiency. There is a nutritional component to anxiety sufferers.
How is anxiety related to nutrition?
Regardless of whether nutritional deficiencies are the cause of your anxiety or an after effect, there is always a nutritional component. If you are anxious, your hormonal organs and glands are working overtime. As a result, your system burns through your nutritional reserves at an accelerated pace. The more your nutritional reserves deplete, the harder time your body has physically coping with anxiety which can make anxiety much worse. Thus, there’s a link between anxiety and vitamin deficiency. This continuous nutrient depletion is a terrible downward spiral!
Cause of Anxiety
Each person describes/experiences anxiety differently. Thus, it stands to reason that there are different causes to blame. Obviously, stressful and uncertain circumstances can spur or exacerbate anxiety. There are mental/emotional components in many cases. The majority of cases also have a physical component. Did you know that a symptom of B vitamin deficiency is emotional disturbances and feelings of impending doom? Low blood sugar can also present as anxiety.
How do you know if your anxiety has a physical component?
Some signs often point to the physical cause of anxiety. An excellent way to determine this is to reflect on this question:
What does your anxiety feel like?
Truly reflect on this question. Think not only about how you feel emotionally, but how your body feels. If you experience physical effects of the anxiety, such as chest pain, shakiness or stomach pains (just to name a few), chances are there’s something physical going on.
How can I improve my anxiety through nutrition?
There’s so much you can do naturally to feel better and improve anxiety! Low blood sugar is such a huge component so make sure you are eating protein for breakfast and not skipping meals. Cutting out white sugar (Confused about sugar? This should help. Blog) and refined carbs can be a lifesaver as well! Natural Calm is a safe and broadly available nutritional supplement that can alleviate anxiety and promote good sleep. It is a magnesium powder drink. You can buy it through your practitioner at The NHCAA or at most health food stores. As B vitamin deficiency is so prevalent in anxiety cases, a whole food sourced vitamin B for anxiety can also be very helpful. Quality matters, so steer clear of synthetic B vitamins for anxiety! They can be overstimulating and can create other deficiencies. If you have done the above actions and you still have symptoms or if your anxiety is severe, don’t despair!
These different types of stress signs indicate that you need to take targeted supplementation for your trouble areas. As there are many causes, you should consult with an NHCAA practitioner to find out the best route for you and to understand vitamin B and anxiety.
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Yours in Health.
Amanda Childress, Holistic PharmD
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