Why Diet Can Bring About Anxiety and Stress

Can what we eat or don't eat make a difference in our stress and anxiety levels? The effects that stress has in both physical and mental health are a hot topic in medical circles today.

It is thought that anxiety disorders result from both the environment and genetic makeup, and when anxiety becomes chronic it can increase the risk for a multitude of physical and mental health problems.


An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from chronic anxiety and stress, and it is also estimated that only about a third of them do something about it.
Stress and anxiety have many things in common, but they are not identical. Stress is thought to usually come from something external in a person's life, such as problems with the job. Anxiety is thought to come from more internal reactions.


Certainly if anxiety is short-term it can cause the body to get past physical danger that triggers it, but if those stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are not shut down after the emergency they can cause issues.

Although the advice for many people is to just simply "get over it", there is certainly a lot more to it. One part that is very possible to control is our lifestyle relating to dieting and exercise, and the foods that contribute to stress and anxiety. Here are some of the factors to be aware of:

• Lack of activity. Exercise produces neurons that naturally keep us in a calm state. Boosting the levels of dopamine and serotonin really help to keep stress levels at bay. Keep in mind that this doesn't have to mean intense exercise, although that certainly helps. But just taking a walk or getting off the couch and moving around while watching a ball game or movie will be a big factor in keeping stress down.
• Leaky gut syndrome. There is such a huge connection between gut health and mental health, and we're finding more about it over time. Eating foods that optimize your gut health will keep those toxins sealed inside the intestines. When they start to secrete into the body through leaks in the intestine, they can absolutely cause havoc with our mental state.
• Excessive amounts of sugar. Getting a spike in sugar and starchy carbohydrates leads to too much insulin release, and that can bring on hypoglycemia. This in turn can cause the brain to let out glutamate at levels that can lead to anger, anxiety, and depression and panic attacks.
• Those toxins that we eat and are exposed to. Food additives, some that have been banned in Europe but not the United States, along with preservatives can have damaging effects on the system. They can result in diseases of a wide variety, and that would include brain disorders that have behavioral and psychological negative effects.
• Not enough omega-3 fats. We've talked here about things that can cause stress and anxiety, but there are a few foods that actually play an important role in emotional health if added to the diet. Deficiencies in omega-3 fats have been linked to mood disorders, and studies have found that there can be a dramatic reduction in anxiety when it is introduced to the diet.

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