Anxiety

Introduction Anxiety let us cope with fear or hazard by flooding our body with “flight or fight” hormones. This is a normal part of our body’s response to stress. On the other hand, anxiety can interfere with our daily life, resulting in sleeplessness, depression, panic attacks, lowered resistance to infection and digestive problems. Our diet needs to include enough nutrients to stabilize blood sugar levels. Vitamins Vitamin B1 improves mood, Vitamin B6 is required for a healthy nervous system, Vitamin B12 helps to give feel-good brain chemicals, Vitamin C improves your immune system, Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and Vitamin E aids brain cells to acquire oxygen. Pantothenic acid is required to create anti-stress hormones. Folic acid reduces homocysteine levels, resulting depression to be reduce. Minerals Intake of Calcium helps us to relax, Chromium stabilizes blood sugar levels, Zinc improves brain function and Magnesium is a muscle relaxant and is important for nerve function.

Food to Choose Fresh fruit and vegetables, wholemeal pasta, oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread, pumpkin seeds and low-fat dairy products. Foods to Avoid Stimulants such as caffeinated soft drinks and coffee make us nervous. Alcohol increases depression. Quick-releasing carbohydrates (in sugar, refined cereals, white rice and white bread) cause blood sugar levels to vary, upsetting energy levels and mood. Effective stress management is also important.