Foods that Help Anxiety, Panic & Depression

If you are experiencing anxiety and are not paying attention to what you are eating and drinking, you need to read this. Many people don’t know that there are foods and drinks that can help fight anxiety, panic and depression.

People that suffer from anxiety and panic disorders in addition to depression often discover that finding an effective treatment is challenging and can take some time. Counseling is often helpful but there is still everyday stuff that can trigger feelings of anxiety, panic, and deep sadness. When this occurs you have to find a way to cope. If anxiety is accompanied by severe depression you’ll most likely be prescribed antidepressants. While these may be helpful to some individuals they can be quite bothersome - and even have dangerous side effects in others, as you may know.

Regardless of the extent of your anxiety and depression you can be proactive and learn about foods that can help your body cope with these conditions. By making some modifications to your diet, you may be able to alleviate many related symptoms and help improve your mental health. So here it is...

Foods that Help Anxiety Panic & Depression

The B Vitamin Group

This group of vitamins can contribute significantly to your overall mental and physical health. Specifically, the following B vitamins can be particularly helpful:

Niacin (B3) - Niacin is a very important vitamin for energy production. Two unique forms of vitamin B3 are required for the body to convert proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into usable energy. Niacin is also used to synthesize starch that can be stored in the body's muscles and liver for eventual use as an energy source. Deficiencies in vitamin B3 are thought to be linked to depression and anxiety, as B3 helps to support the neurotransmission system of the brain. Foods rich in Niacin include chicken, tuna, salmon and mushrooms.
Thiamin (B1) – Thiamin rich foods help your body by providing energy, coordinating the activity of nerves and muscles and supporting proper heart function. Low levels of thiamin in the body can cause restless nerves and irritability, like that seen by patients suffering from panic and anxiety disorders. Foods rich in thiamin include tuna, sunflower seeds, black beans, and yellow corn.
Vitamin B6 – B6 is one of the best vitamins for supporting the nervous system, so it can help support the body in warding off all sorts of feelings like sadness, depression, anxiety and panic. Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include bell peppers, spinach, bananas and tuna.
Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is a critical nutrient in supporting the production of red blood cells, preventing anemia. In addition, it promotes proper development of nerve cells. Clinical depression and memory loss can sometimes be linked to a Vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, heart palpitations and fatigue, just as often seen in anxiety patients, are side effects of being deficient in B12. Foods rich in B12 include baked snapper, venison, scallops and yogurt.

Other helpful foods for anxiety disorders include foods high in tryptophan such as shrimp and most kinds of fish, greens including spinach and most beans. Tryptophan is a known mood enhancer, has a calming effect, and can help you sleep better. In addition, it can help regulate your appetite. Tryptophan is one of the 10 essential amino acids that the body uses to synthesize protein. It helps produce nervous system messengers, particularly serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps the body regulate appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. It can also help you sleep better and help regulate your appetite.

Well, now you have a few good ideas for what could be your next lunch... or dinner! There are some other foods -which by the way are quite tasty and easy to prepare- that would make your diet a mood-boosting one. If you like to learn more about these (and discover easy ways to enjoy them) join us. Sign up in the box below.

If you suffer from psychological issues like panic attacks, anxiety disorders and/or depression, you owe it to yourself to give a new diet a chance. Many people have found relief from these conditions by eating the right combination of these foods that have been shown to help anxiety, panic and depression naturally.

Take the time to find out how a new diet can help improve your state of mind. We think it's worthwhile! Visit the Insider’s Fearless Diet Program and find out how a natural health practitioner defeated her own anxiety the natural way...