Blog

The Mind-Gut Connection: How Your Diet can Impact your Anxiety Levels

Blog post provided by Sprout Your Health

Summer makes us feel alive! We spend more time outside, get more sunshine, exercise more and eat local fresh foods. As the leaves start to change, the nights cool, and the days get shorter we know that fall is around the corner.  September means back to school, back to routine and back to work which so many of us dread.  It even brings on anxiety for many of us, especially post pandemic. 

Anxiety may occur as a result of either mental or physical imbalances. When psychological triggers are the root cause of your anxiety, it may be best to work with a professional to talk through and learn strategies to manage your emotions. However, what is often overlooked when it comes to treating anxiety are any underlying physical triggers that may result from diet, nutrient deficiencies and gut imbalances. 

The Mind-Gut Connection is a critical pathway in the body when understanding physical anxiety.  Your body has a communication system between your brain and gut which means your brain can impact your digestive tract and vice versa. It is connected through one of your largest nerves, the vagus nerve, and neurotransmitters which are chemical messengers. If there is inflammation in the digestive system, it can also result in inflammation in your brain which can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog and low energy.

Underlying Nutrition Triggers to Anxiety

People who are prone to anxiety and panic attacks generally have elevated blood lactic acid levels (lactate results as a final product in the breakdown of blood sugar when there is lack of oxygen).  So I’m sure you can guess that keeping these lactic acid levels low is a key in reducing anxiety and panic attacks. 

There are 6 nutritional factors that can contribute to elevated levels of lactic acid.  Here are some recommendations you can try at home and monitor if your anxiety levels. 

  1. Alcohol– alcohol can increase lactate, inflammation and lead to an imbalance in blood sugar. It’s best to reduce and ideally avoid alcohol. 
  2. Caffeine– for highly stressed individuals, caffeine can trigger anxiety within minutes of consumption. Even if you don’t feel it affects you, it might be. Try removing it for a week or 2 and see if you notice a difference. 
  3. Sugar– refined sugar is stripped of vitamins and minerals so your body needs to use its own reserves, especially B vitamins and calcium, to digest the sugar, resulting in further nutrient depletion and inflammation. Try switching out sugar in your recipes and meals with healthier alternatives like honey, maple syrup or molasses.  
  4. B Vitamin Deficiency– needed for energy & brain chemical production, blood sugar control and modulating stress. If these are deficient, you will have a harder time handling stress and your anxiety may worsen
  5. Calcium or Magnesium Deficiency -these are minerals that help to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety, fear, nervousness, restlessness and irritability. If these are deficient, you will have a harder time handling stress and anxiety may worsen 

Food Sensitivities– problem foods can lead to inflammation, histamine increase and nutrient deficiencies which can result in anxiety, depression, mood swings & fatigue. Try removing the major allergens for 2 weeks and see if you notice a difference in your anxiety levels: gluten, dairy, eggs, nightshades, soy & corn.

Another key trigger for many people is blood sugar imbalances.  When you eat something sweet or a meal that is high in processed carbohydrates, your blood sugar spikes and then drops, which can also trigger anxiety.  

So what can you eat at home to improve you anxiety? Here are some recommendations: 

Tips for Eating to Minimize Anxiety 

  1. Eat balanced meals: eating protein, fat and fiber at every meal and snack to reduce blood sugar drops. This means if you’re snacking on a muffin, eat some nuts and avocado with it to reduce it’s impact on your blood sugar
  2. Eat protein for breakfast: so many people skip breakfast or don’t have enough time in the mornings to eat breakfast but if you’re prone to anxiety, especially in the mornings, this is critical. Hard boiled eggs, nuts & hummus are a great easy grab and go breakfast if you’re in a rush.
  3. Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods at every meal: inflammation in the gut can travel to the brain and contribute to mental health disorders. Avoiding inflammatory foods (like seed oils, processed foods, refined carbohydrates and candy) and eating anti-inflammatory foods (berries, nuts & seeds, green leafy vegetables) can help to minimize inflammation. For a full list of anti-inflammatory foods click here
  4. Get your Omega 3’s- These are essential fats that you must obtain through diet and help to reduce inflammation and support brain function. Foods high in omega 3 include fatty fish like wild sardines, anchovies and salmon, walnuts, grass fed meat and chia seeds. 
  5. Eat foods high in magnesium & calcium: Foods high in magnesium include pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, almonds, dark chocolate, spinach, tuna, brown rice. Foods high in calcium include yogurt, sesame seeds, chia seeds, sardines, almonds, flax seeds, green leafy vegetables 
  6. Eat foods high in B vitamins: Foods high in B vitamins include sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, grass fed beef, wild fish, pistachio nuts, shiitake mushrooms, lentils, 

Incorporate fermented foods daily: fermented foods increase beneficial gut bacteria diversity which are needed to produce brain chemicals to balance your mood, reduce anxiety, reduce inflammation and improve your sleep and stress response. Fermented foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, fermented coconut milk, tempeh and miso.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Get Started

Say hello to better healthcare.

We approach each case individually, creating a well thought out plan that will lead to the healthiest possible outcome.

Membership Terms and Conditions

The undersigned shall be enrolled in the Advica Health program commencing on the effective date set out in the membership agreement above. The listed rates are subject to change upon 30 days’ notice. These rates do not include coverage for or cost of medical treatment, Annual Health Examinations, medications, travel, accommodations or any other overhead costs associated with managing a healthcare issue.

Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, the undersigned or Advica Health may cancel such membership, at any time and for any reason, after the first (1st) anniversary date of the aforementioned effective date upon at least thirty (30) days’ written notice delivered by email to the other party at the Advica Health address first given above or the last address for contact given by the undersigned to Advica Health for its records (as the case may be).

In the event that the undersigned fails to make any payment when due under the Advica Health program, and such payment is not made, in full, within thirty (30) calendar days after written notice is received of such failure, Advica Health shall be entitled, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel and terminate the undersigned’s membership and any and all related coverage(s) or treatment(s) under the program, without further notice. As part of this application, and after being accepted as a member, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that certain information shall be requested and provided, from time to time, concerning his or her personal health, financial and other private matters in connection with the Advica Health program. By signing and delivering this application, the undersigned agrees and consents to Advica Health or its authorized representatives collecting, using, sharing or otherwise disclosing such personal and private information for the purposes of such program and for no other purpose.

Advica Health acts only as a referral agent and navigational assistant for healthcare professionals and related facilities which will provide the treatments and other services to you as contemplated by the membership program (the “Service Providers”). By signing and returning this form, you acknowledge and agree that Advica Health and its employees, agents and authorized distributors are not responsible or liable in any manner for, and will be held harmless by you from any and all claims, demands, losses or damages that may arise from the actions or omissions of the Service Providers as part of the plans, services and programs contemplated by this Membership Application.

Please note that the submission of your details on the membership form does not mean that your membership has been activated. The Advica Health team will process your application and if all fields are appropriately filled out, you will then receive a confirmation email with your membership details and your membership activation date.

The terms and conditions are subject to change at the discretion of Advica Health Inc.