Did you know that anxiety can come from the body and not from the brain, like we have been taught?
For some people, anxiety is a symptom of an imbalance in the body & not the brain…
Although anxiety may present similarly in people, the root cause of each person’s anxiety can be different & not always related to a neurotransmitter deficit.
After almost twenty-years of experience, with helping thousands of people discover & treat the root cause of their anxiety, I have learned that there is no such thing as a one- size-fits-all problem or solution to the anxiety epidemic that affects so many of us.
When the body is out of balance, the mind follows, because the body and brain are connected.
So, how can you tell where your anxiety is coming from? …
Anxiety can be related to a variety of factors:
1) NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
Low Vitamins A, B’s, C, or D Minerals, such as: Magnesium, Zinc, or Iron.
OR Low essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, 9) or suboptimal protein, carbohydrate, or fat in the diet.
2) HORMONE IMBALANCES
- Thyroid issues
- High or low cortisol
- Low progesterone
- High or low estrogen
- Low testosterone
3) BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS
Too low or too high glucose in the bloodstream.
4) FOOD SENSITIVITIES
Many foods or substances such as preservatives, escape the intestines, especially when leaky-gut-syndrome is present (a break in the gut-body barrier), making their way into the bloodstream, crossing the blood-brain barrier, affecting mood centres in the brain, & causing anxiety.
5) GUT-MICROBE IMBALANCES
Current science suggests that gut- health affects brain-health. This is especially related to the critters that live in our intestines – many types of bacteria, viruses, yeast, parasites – for better or for worse – influence our mood quite profoundly!
As an ND, I work with you to discover which of these factors may be playing a role in your anxiety, because we can measure these levels in your: blood, urine, stool or saliva.
Based on your personal health assessment & test results, we can design a treatment plan, individualized to you, using a synergistic blend of the main naturopathic modalities, which are:
CLINICAL NUTRITION & NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS:
Employing food for mood and targeted natural supplements as medicine to resolve anxiety.
LIFESTYLE COUNSELLING:
Together we will discover your best type & schedule for: mindfulness & meditation, sleep/wake cycles, movement, & integrated habit change, all aimed to improve your mood & eliminate harmful anxiety.
HERBAL & HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE & TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & ACUPUNCTURE:
Evidence-based, natural treatments for anxiety of different causes & presentations, which can be used as an alternative or in conjunction with other medical approaches such as, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and/or conventional psychotropics, such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers & sleep aids.
Here are some tips to help you combat anxiety, even before you book a naturopathic appointment:
1. Consume a rich diet in whole foods including: fresh fruit & vegetables, lean meats & dairy products, small or wild fish & game, beans & lentils, whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats or barley, healthy fats from coconut, olive, flax or avocado, nuts & seeds or butters made from them.
ALSO Limit processed & packaged foods high in preservatives (too many ingredients & ones that you don’t recognize), fast food, sugary snacks, sodas, alcohol and caffeine.
Eat small meals every 3 hours to regulate blood sugar levels, keep your energy up & anxiety levels at bay.
2. Prioritize your sleep: Aim for 8 to 9 hours, most week nights (as anything less may provoke high daytime anxiety levels)
3. Move your body: Walk for 30-minutes at least 3-times per week, better yet, hit the trails for a higher impact on anxiety resolution. Have you heard of nature deficit disorder? According to the latest science, it’s connected to anxiety!
4. Learn to calm the mind: Use a guided meditation app, such as Headspace: Aim for 5 minutes when you wake & another 5 minutes before bed. Work toward 5 days per week. This practice goes a long way to melt anxiety & improve overall mood, concentration & focus. Sure that amounts to 10 minutes, which means “less time” in your day, but on the other hand, you will be 10 times more productive than you would be without it.
Try it for a month & let me know!