Anxiety: Is it Related to What You Eat?

Is it possible that you are feeding your anxiety? Turns out, the answer is yes. In fact, There are certain foods and substances which tend to trigger stress and anxiety in the body. Additionally, there are several foods that can even trigger panic attacks.

But how exactly is anxiety related to the food you eat? Basically, your gut health can effect many things; including your mood and behavior. So when your gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can lead to several problems in both your body and mind.

1. Gut Health

So what exactly is your gut microbiome? Well basically it’s the microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that live inside your gut. There are certain bacteria’s in our body that are necessary to help it function properly, and many of these bacteria’s reside in our gut. But how exactly does this relate to anxiety?

Well research has shown that differences in the gut microbiome exist between people with anxiety and those without. Basically that means there is a physical difference in gut health that can be seen in people who are suffering from anxiety.

2. The Solution

So there is definitely a link between gut health and anxiety. So what’s the solution? Well the best place to start is with your diet. Following a healthy diet is one way to encourage a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Here are some changes you can make to your diet in order to promote gut health:

• Traditional Fermented Foods: One of the best things you can do to enhance and improve gut flora is to regularly eat foods that contain a lot of friendly probiotic bacteria—specifically traditional fermented foods. Traditional fermented foods are rich in beneficial lactic acid-producing bacteria. This good bacteria helps ferment carbohydrates that we cannot digest.
• Probiotic Supplements: While eating fermented foods is the most natural way to get the benefits of probiotic bacteria, most people find it difficult to eat these foods consistently. Additionally, many people don’t really like the taste of fermented foods. An effective alternative is to take a probiotic supplement. They are a more convenient way to get those probitic bacterias’s as they don’t require any meal planning.
• Lactic Acid Yeast Wafers: For some individuals, restoring the the intestinal microflora to adequate levels requires an additional step. Lactic acid yeast wafers work the same way fermented foods do, in that they help restore the bacterial flora of the lower bowel. Lactic acid yeast helps your intestines produce more lactic acid. The additional acid stops the growth of harmful bacteria while allowing good gut bacteria to flourish.

3. Foods To Eat to Help With Anxiety

Eating the right foods and getting enough sleep can help improve your overall hep and reduce anxiety. Here are a few foods you should include in your diet to help reduce anxiety:

• Dark Leafy Greens: These superfoods are one of the most nutrient dense foods available to us. Greens like spinach, kale, etc. are high in nutrients and have amazing properties that boost our immune systems.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain folic acid and alpha-lipoic acid, both of which are good for fighting depression and anxiety.
• Berries: Berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. are extremely high in antioxidants. Additionally, they have been known to help reduce anxiety and depression.

The Anxiety Takeaway

In short, what you eat could have a direct impact on your anxiety. So it’s important to keep your gut healthy and balanced. The best way to do this is by making small changes each day in your diet, which will help decrease your anxiety and improve your overall health.

Interested in learning how to best explore and experiment in an effort to experience the vibrant life you desire? If so, I encourage you to check out my website. I offer a variety of programs all dedicated to helping you live a healthier life, from the inside out. My approach is positive and compassionate, my practice is based on the principles of Functional Medicine. Together we’ll take the deep dive into learning WHO you are as an eater, addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms, in this case, stubborn weight loss. You’ll learn how to master the skills needed to Live the Change…Be the Change…See the Change.

Written and Published by AutomationLinks.com