Anxiety

Acute anxiety disorder is characterized by abrupt or intense episodes of ‘panic attacks’. These attacks are unpredictable and cause involuntary physiological responses similar to those occurring in an emergency situation. The body reacts to these false emergency signals with an increase in adrenaline, a tensing of muscles, accelerated heartbeat, rapid breathing, and raised metabolism to quickly produce energy for the body to use. This reaction may be felt as an overwhelming sense of impending disaster or death, shortness of breath, a smothering or claustrophobic sensation, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, hot flashes, chills, trembling, numbness or tingling in the extremities, sweating, nausea, a feeling of unreality, or a distorted perception of the passage of time. Less severe cases of anxiety produce similar symptoms with less intensity.

Stress depletes minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. To replenish these minerals the following foods should be eaten regularly: apricots, asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, blackstrap molasses, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, dried fruits, dulse, figs, fish (especially salmon), garlic, green leafy vegetables, legumes, raw nuts and seeds, soy, whole grains, and yogurt.

Food containing refined sugar, simple carbohydrates, caffeine and animal protein should be avoided. Be wary of dairy or other potential food allergies, as they could trigger a panic attack.