When you’re feeling anxious, do you ever tell yourself to calm down and relax? If you have tried it you know that it’s not that effective.
When you’re faced with an anxiety-inducing situation your heart is likely pounding and your levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise. You are in a hyped-up state of arousal so simply telling yourself to relax may be too big a leap.
Anxiety is very common. I see it all the time with my clients. Occasionally I will suffer with mild anxiety (I am just back from holiday and looking at my very full diary for next week I am thinking “how can I fit it all in”).
Anxiety involves the same “fight or flight” response that stress does. In some people the anxiety becomes overwhelming and difficult to cope with. It affects their day to day living and can lead to many health problems including depression.
A healthy diet is crucial. Your gut and brain work together, each influencing each other. In fact it is estimated that 90% of serotonin is produced in the digestive tract. Your diet is so closely linked to your mental health.
Here are my top nutritional tips to reduce anxiety
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Eliminate sugars and processed foods
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Eat plenty of non-starchy vegetables
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Avoid processed vegetable oils
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Eat healthy fats like coconut oil for cooking, olive oil and seed oils
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Eat fermented vegetables or take a good probiotic
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Eat omega 3 fats like salmon, sardines and mackerel
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Reduce caffeine
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Try drinking green tea which contains L-Theanine
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Eat protein at each meal to support the adrenals
These are the supplements that I take which help with stress and support healthy gut flora
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Progreens which is a broad spectrum superfoods powder containing over 40 ingredients including Maca which is a great stress-busting root , green tea and probiotics.
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Bio3bg which is a specially formulated ratio of B Vitamins for resilience, reducing stress and can help prevent early morning waking
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Phosphatidyl Choline to support the liver
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Liquorice extract when my blood pressure is low
These are the supplements that work well for my clients
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All of the above (many of my clients love the Bio3bg and really notice a difference)
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ZEN – containing GABA and L-Theanine for calmness, also great for children when taking exams
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NAC – A precursor to Glutathione, the master antioxidant. Good for calming the brain and to mop up free radicals produced by stress.
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Stabilium – great for reducing anxiety and stress
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5HTP – acts like an anti-depressant
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Phosphatidyl Serine – when Cortisol is high
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Dr Wilsons super adrenal stress formula – when cortisol is too low
The best way to establish how your anxiety or stress is affecting you is to do an Adrenal Function test. This is a saliva test that I often ask my clients to do so that we can see the levels of cortisol. For more information on this test or to book in for a consultation please contact me at hello@pippacampbellhealth.com
