Anxiety is a pervasive and uncomfortable emotional state characterised by feelings of nervousness, irritability, and dread. It is often linked to specific events or manifesting without an obvious cause. Affecting approximately 1 in 4 Australians at some point in their lives, anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, marked by intense physical symptoms. This article explores the multifaceted causes of anxiety. Biochemical imbalances and the impact of toxins are discussed. Lastly, insights into effective correction strategies through a comprehensive Nutritional Balancing program are provided. By addressing dietary habits, lifestyle modifications and stress reduction techniques, you can take proactive steps toward alleviating anxiety and restoring mental well-being.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is defined as an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness, irritability, or dread regarding the future. It may be linked to specific events or can manifest as free-floating anxiety without an obvious cause. Panic attacks are a severe form of anxiety characterized by sudden, intense symptoms. Breathing difficulties, muscle tension, and a rapid heartbeat, often lead individuals to seek medical help.
Approximately 1 in 4 Australians will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. About 2.7 million individuals in the last 12 months have been anxious (AIHW: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. “Mental Health Services in Australia.” [AIHW Website](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia); Australian Bureau of Statistics. “National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.” [ABS Website](https://www.abs.gov.au/).
Causes
The basic causes of anxiety include biochemical/ mineral imbalances, negative thought patterns, unhealthy lifestyles, and stress. Importantly, the accumulation of toxins and heavy metals—in particular copper, and also lead, mercury, nickel and cadmium—can disrupt normal body chemistry/ mineral balance and significantly contribute to anxiety and panic attacks. These toxins often interfere with neurotransmitter function, leading to heightened emotional responses. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a valuable tool for identifying and testing for heavy metals and toxicities. Importantly, these may be underlying causes of anxiety, providing insights into individual mineral balance and toxin levels.
Six Biochemical imbalances associated with anxiety and panic attacks
This list highlights how various biochemical imbalances can play a significant role in the development and persistence of anxiety symptoms.
- Fatigue and adrenal burnout: Lack of energy can lead to anxiety. Fatigue may resolve with proper sleep. However, adrenal burnout requires more intensive intervention provided for on a Rebalance Nutritional Balancing Program.
2. Alarm stage of stress: Constant state of “emergency” mode leads to hypersensitivity and overreaction. This then decreases levels of calcium, magnesium, and zinc and keeps your nervous system in the Fight, Flight or Freeze (Sympathetic Nervous System) mode.
3. High cortisol levels: Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, which is often associated with anxiety symptoms.
4. Sluggish metabolic rate: Can result from deficiencies in calcium and magnesium, excess copper, low energy, and accumulation of toxic metals. You can however, optimise your metabolic/oxidation rate on a Rebalance Nutritional Balancing program.
5. Copper imbalance: Excess copper enhances stimulatory neurotransmitter production, contributing to anxiety and panic attacks. Removing copper safely (not using chelating agents) significantly improves anxiety in many people.
6. Presence/ accumulation of toxic metals: High levels of metals (lead, mercury, and cadmium) and other toxins irritate the nervous system. They also disrupt normal biochemistry processes and replace the much needed sedative minerals.
Seven more important Biochemical imbalances
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar episodes can lead to feelings of panic, irritability and increased anxiety. This is however, often easily remedied by eating adequate protein, fats, complex high quality grains and plenty of cooked vegetables.
2. Nutrient deficiencies: Insufficient intake of essential nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, especially magnesium and zinc) impairs nervous system function. This negatively affects mental health and increases anxiety.
3. Inflammation: Inflammatory states in the body can correspond with anxiety, driven by imbalances in elements like iron and sodium, and high Na/K ratios as identified on HTMA.
4. Taking wrong vitamins/minerals: Some stimulatory supplements can exacerbate anxiety symptoms, and often many of these herbs are prescribed for people with anxiety, such as licorice and ascorbic acid (which is very different from whole vitamin c).
5. Reactions to foods/toxic chemicals: Allergies or sensitivities to foods or environmental chemicals can cause severe anxiety.
6. Infections: Chronic infections, such as candida, can produce irritants that affect the nervous system.
7. Imbalanced thyroid hormones: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can influence mood and anxiety levels.
Correction
However, there is hope! You can address anxiety and panic attacks through a comprehensive approach that includes dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and cognitive restructuring within a Nutritional Balancing program. This also includes a balanced diet avoiding sugar, most caffeine, and irritants, combined with regular sleep and exercise, can help stabilise body chemistry and alleviate symptoms. Specifically targeting heavy metal detoxification through dietary strategies and mineral supplements, as identified through HTMA results, may also be necessary to reduce their anxious effects. Furthermore, monitoring thought processes to adopt a more positive mindset is essential for overcoming anxiety, in conjunction with a complete Nutritional Balancing program.
Rebalance Nutritional Balancing Program to correct biochemical imbalances and relieve anxiety in the following ways:
1. Follow a complete Nutritional Balancing program:
A comprehensive approach involving diet, lifestyle, mineral supplements, stress reduction, detoxification, and improving thinking habits can correct biochemical imbalances significantly contributing to anxiety.
2. Improve your diet:
As mentioned earlier, avoid sugar, processed foods, most caffeine, and food additives; focus on cooked vegetables for better nutrient absorption, high quality complex grains and fats, and organic proteins.
3. Enhance lifestyle:
Prioritise sleep (8-10 hours), daily walks, deep breathing exercises, foot reflexology, sunlight exposure, and avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, and harmful over-the-counter products.
4. Reduce stress:
Simplify your life by keeping a sane schedule, engaging in daily prayer, meditation, laughter, socialising and reading uplifting materials. It is also of paramount importance to do something you love that does not stimulate your Sympathetic Nervous System.
5. Correct thinking patterns:
Observe and replace negative thoughts with realistic and positive ideas; a Nutritional Balancing program can help address underlying trauma.
6. Natural solutions:
Instead of relying on medications, consider a full Nutritional Balancing program where your body will get the minerals it needs to function optimally. In addition to a full Nutritional Balancing program, adding in herbs such as passionflower, magnolia and lavender can be employed as a short term symptomatic fix whilst you work on balancing the underlying body chemistry.
7. Use of drugs:
While some medications can relieve symptoms, they may have side effects and do not address underlying causes; use them only if other methods fail.
Healing reactions
During a Nutritional Balancing program aimed at correcting anxiety, some individuals may experience heightened anxiety on occasion due to the elimination of toxins or retrieving traumatic memories to heal. With heavy metals being released, this can provoke anxiety as the body adjusts to changes in chemistry. In such cases, reducing the intensity of the program, ensuring it is up-to-date and based on current biochemistry via a HTMA, and focusing on relaxation techniques can be beneficial. Natural remedies like chamomile tea and lecithin may help mitigate these anxiety healing reactions, along with utilising detoxification methods, such as coffee enemas and near infrared saunas, allowing for a smoother transition towards improved mental health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, anxiety is a widespread yet intricate condition that demands a tailored approach, particularly for affluent professionals who often navigate high-pressure environments. By recognising the biochemical imbalances and environmental triggers contributing to anxiety, individuals can implement sophisticated strategies through a comprehensive Nutritional Balancing program. This approach incorporates refined dietary choices, individualised mineral supplementation, personalised lifestyle modifications, and advanced stress reduction techniques, all designed to mitigate anxiety symptoms while boosting overall productivity and mental clarity. Investing in tools like Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis allows for a thorough understanding of personal health, empowering professionals to take proactive steps towards achieving optimal well-being.
By embracing these holistic solutions, YOU can effectively transform anxiety into a pathway for enhanced performance and resilience in both YOUR personal and professional life.
For those looking to begin this journey, investing in a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) can be a crucial first step toward understanding your unique mineral balance and identifying any hidden toxicities that may be contributing to anxiety.