Health Hotline Magazine | March 2021

WE ARE A NATION RIDDLED WITH ANXIETY. Whether you su er from generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (or a combination of any of the above), you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. and a ect 40million adults, or close to 20 percent of the population, i with millennials and people of color reporting the most anxiety overall and baby boomers reporting the sharpest increases in anxiety. ii Americans’ anxiety levels are increasing, but the good news is that anxiety (and mental illness in general) is losing its stigma and has become a tarending topic in the national conversation. Though that is encouraging, according to the Anxiety and Depression

LONG TERM: BUILD A FOUNDATION TO CULTIVATE CALM

Our modern diets full of processed foods high in sugar and low in saturated fats have left many of us overfed, yet undernourished and mentally unbalanced. We are unknowingly plagued with sub-optimal levels (in some cases, outright deficiencies) of essential vitamins and minerals, some of which play crucial roles in mental health. Start by building optimal levels of these nutrients: Magnesium. Known as a calming mineral, much of the population consumes inadequate amounts of magnesium. Mental and emotional stresses quickly deplete levels, as do poor eating habits, alcohol consumption, and certain prescription drugs. Sometimes called the original “chill pill,” magnesium plays important roles in the nervous system, including modulating the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (our central stress response system) and blocking excitatory transmission in brain cells, both of which help prevent feelings of anxiety. Research has shown that increasing magnesium levels results in anti-anxiety e ects and can relieve mild to moderate anxiety and anxiety associated with PMS, especially when combined with vitamin B6. iii iv Studies have used 250-300mg of magnesium along with 50mg of vitamin B6 daily with e cacy. Speaking of B vitamins , it’s a good idea to take a quality B-complex as a foundational supplement. The B-family works synergistically and is vital for mental and emotional wellbeing; the B vitamins are involved in healthy neurotransmitter production, a healthy stress response, and are necessary for normal central nervous system function. v vi vii viii Stress, sugar, and alcohol all quickly deplete levels of the B vitamins. And because they are water soluble, they are not stored in the body and must be replenished daily.

Association of America, only about 37 percent of those with anxiety receive treatment. So while there may be more awareness, many people continue to su er. Anxiety can be overwhelming and hard to know how to handle, but it can be controlled. While there are multiple causes of anxiety, and severe anxiety disorders may require medical treatment, many anxiety symptoms can be controlled with lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, meditation, etc.) and by supporting your body and brain with nutritional supplementation.

12 | Health Hotline ®