Common Nutrient Dials DOWN Anxiety Levels
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 3, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you battle anxiety, you’re the victim of an overactive brain.
But probably not how you think.
You see, electrical impulses are storming all of our brains all of the time. In fact, most of the chemicals in your brain (neurotransmitters) are designed to make even MORE of these electrical impulses.
But there are a few neurotransmitters whose job is to do the opposite such as gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. These chemicals calm the storm by making it harder for electrical impulses to race through your brain.
They’re called inhibitory neurotransmitters, and they help you reach a state of calm.
Blocking nerve impulses might sound like a bad thing at first. But it’s not. Your brain needs a balance of both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters to function well… and reduce anxiety.
But GABA needs a helping hand to get the job done. And if you suffer from anxiety, too little of THIS specific compound could be the cause.
What’s this critical compound? Vitamin B6.
This vital vitamin helps the body produce more GABA, which helps calm nerve impulses in the brain.
For a recent study published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, researchers divided a group of 300 volunteers with anxiety into two groups. The first group was given high levels of vitamin B6 and the second received a look-alike placebo.
The lucky folks who got the mega-doses of vitamin B6 reported feeling FAR less anxiety and nervousness.
I wouldn’t suggest recreating this at home, however. The participants took between 50 and 70 milligrams a day of vitamin B6. But the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the vitamin is under two milligrams.
In other words, they took around 25 to 35 times the RDA. And while B vitamins are quite safe at higher levels. I would suggest a far smaller amount for everyday use.
Generally, I recommend under 8 milligrams to start. Check in with your doctor to see what amount might be best for you.
But don’t stop there. Reducing your stress levels is another proven way to dial down anxiety. And I have three easy tips for doing just that.
Dr. Scott’s Three Step Stress-Relief Plan:
- Exercise: Movement is a natural antidote for excess amounts of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. You may not feel like exercising when you have a lot on your plate. But getting out for a brisk walk or doing some yoga can help you feel better for the rest of the day.
- Identify and Eliminate Triggers: Maybe you already know what triggers your anxiety. I find folks often do. They simply don’t take steps to help themselves. Or perhaps you aren’t sure what sends your stress levels into the red zone. Either way, talking things through with a trusted friend, church leader, or therapist can often help. Naming your triggers and creating a plan for eliminating them (or at least how you react to them) is a surefire way to overcome those feelings of helplessness.
- Feed Your Brain: Your brain is hungry for the nutrients that support its healthy function. And, of course, a hungry brain is a stressed brain. Make sure you get plenty of omega-3 rich fish oil (EPA/DHA) daily. Plus, consider supplementing with curcumin and bacopa. Both nutrients support brain health while reducing body-wide inflammation.
Don’t let anxiety get the best of you. Take your power back starting TODAY.
P.S. Need more help dialing down those anxious feelings? Check out my earlier report, 6 Ways to Quiet Your Anxiety, for even MORE useful tips.
SOURCE:
“High-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression,” Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, First published: 19 July 2022, https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2852
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...