Anxiety: Breaking Free
In today’s fast-paced, non-stop society, it’s no wonder that anxiety has become such a common, well known visitor in our lives. Whether it manifests itself as the awkward, nail biting cousin, as the uptight, obsessive compulsive aunt, or the consistently worried, unable to focus on life, next door neighbor, anxiety is everywhere. If you’re one of the 40 million people in the U.S. affected by some kind of anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder), don’t feel alone, don’t feel ashamed, don’t feel hopeless!
Anxiety can stem from a multitude of things. Dietary and lifestyle factors can influence the initiation and progression of this disorder and can exacerbate symptoms. Some factors include:
Nutrient deficiencies
Food intolerances
Caffeine, drug, and alcohol use
Chronic distress
Childhood and/or significant adult PTSD
Environmental factors
The amygdala is part of the brain where fear is activated. This activation can result in increased levels of several neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, which can produce feelings of anxiety if not kept in control.
Now, the question is, how do we control things in our brains that we can’t even correctly pronounce?
(Hint: we re-balance our bodies!)
Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are all key components of managing anxiety. Ensuring proper amounts of arginine and lysine have been shown to reduce anxiety. L-theanine, lucky for us, is found in tea, and helps balance dopamine and serotonin, and maintain a relaxed, yet alert state. Taking a multivitamin is equally as important, since amino acids are rendered almost useless without their vitamin counterparts. Just like peanut butter compliments jelly, vitamins compliment amino acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are useful in combating anxiety. Lavender is a powerful tool to help decrease symptoms of anxiousness, restlessness, and fatigue. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, has been shown to increase dopamine receptors and reduce anxiety-producing effects of norepinephrine. Black Cohosh, Kava, Magnolia, Lemon Balm, yoga, meditation, exercise…the battle with anxiety doesn’t have to turn into a war. Each individual is different in how their stress manifests itself, how high their threshold for symptoms is, and how they want to attempt treatment in order to guarantee the highest success rate. The options are plentiful for those of you seeking an alternative to prescription medication.
At Annie’s Apothecary, our supply of anxiety fighting supplements and vitamins is definitely worth checking out. Our options range from multivitamins, magnesium, and N-acetyl-cysteine, to L-theanine, Mood Food, BrainSustain, and RelaxMax. We would be more than happy to answer questions, to listen, to help figure out the best treatment plan to ensure your complete happiness and well-being. Come by or give us a call at 830.981.4774!