How to Reduce Anxiety and Stress

Apart from psychological approaches to beating stress and anxiety, there are important nutritional changes that help to get you out of a constant state of anxiety and a tendency to over-react to stress. Making these changes will give you more clarity and energy to then deal with underlying life and psychological issues that generate anxiety, such as areas of insecurity and the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do.

Andrew is a case in point. Managing a chain of supermarkets had left him very stressed. In the day he’d drink coffee and in the evening he’d relax with a beer or some wine, as otherwise he would experience difficulty sleeping. He was also gaining weight. He went on my low-GL diet, quit drinking coffee and booze, and took my recommended supplements. Three weeks later he said, “My energy is through the roof, I don’t feel stressed and I have no problem sleeping, and waking refreshed.” You can find out which supplements are right for you with my free 100% Health Check

Here are the key changes that make the most difference.

Eat a Low GL diet and supplement chromium

The state of anxiety is associated with raised levels of the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisolCortisol has been nicknamed ‘the stress hormone’ as it is released in higher levels during the body’s flight or fight response to stress. Levels of…. When your blood sugar dips (often a rebound from blood sugar highs) this promotes the release of adrenal hormones, as do stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine. So, the first step towards reducing anxiety is to balance your blood sugar by eating a low GL diet containing slow-releasing carbohydrates eaten with proteinProteins are large molecules consisting of chains of amino acids. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body – they are a building block of… and avoid or, at least considerably reduce, your use of both stimulants and alcohol (see below). This alone has a major effect in reducing anxiety.

The mineral chromiumWhat it does: Helps balance blood sugar, normalise hunger and reduce cravings, improves lifespan, helps protect cells, essential for heart function. Deficiency Signs: Excessive or… helps to even out blood sugar by making you more sensitive to insulinInsulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It is responsible for making the body’s cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood…. – that’s the hormone that keeps blood sugar level even. It is particularly effective in those with symptoms of depression associated with sugar cravings, feeling tired and oversensitive. If that sounds like you try supplementing 200mcg of chromium twice a day, with breakfast and lunch. it works even better if combined with cinnamon. Look for supplements with Cinnulin®, a potentised extract of cinnamon, plus chromium.

Quit stimulants and reduce alcohol

The reason we use stimulants is to increase adrenal hormones and the feel of energy and motivation. But the more you have the more you need until you can’t function without them, feeling ‘flat’. It takes a few days to recover your natural energy through eating a low GL diet and taking the right supplements.

The last thing you want if you are prone to anxiety and feeling stressed is lots of caffeine. So, step one for reducing anxiety is to become caffeine-free. There’s the most caffeine in strong coffee and high caffeine energy drinks. There’s also some in tea, which is more calming due to the presence of an amino acid called theanine. So tea is better than coffee but still you need to limit your intake to two weak cups a day. 
Nicotine is another stimulant and therefore quitting smoking is key for reducing levels of anxiety, even though you may have become addicted precisely because a cigarette helps you calm down. If you feel tired when quitting stimulants supplement a cmbination of tyrosine with adaptogenic herbs such as the three ginsengs (Siberian, American and Korean).

Alcohol, at least for the first hour, is a relaxant because it switches off adrenalin by promoting GABA (see below) making it a highly effective way to unwind. But, similar to nicotine, the effect of using alcohol on a daily basis is the opposite. You become more stressed. Also, alcohol disturbs the normal dreaming cycle and the net effect is that you wake up more tired and irritable, in need of more caffeine in the day, then alcohol in the evening. It’s a vicious cycle. Therefore, to reduce anxiety, it is important to drink lightly, and even take a break for a couple of weeks.

Supplement GABA and Taurine

GABA (gamma-amino-butyric acid) is the main inhibitory or calming neurotransmitterA neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries signals between body cells. They are various types of neurotransmitters which play a major role in everyday…. It not only switches off stress hormones, it also affects serotoninSerotonin is a hormone found naturally in the brain and digestive tract. It is often referred to as the ‘happy hormone’ as it influences mood…., thereby affecting your mood. For these reasons, having enough GABA in your brain is associated with being relaxed and happy, while having too little is associated with anxiety, tension, depression and insomnia. GABA is not only a neurotransmitter, it’s also an amino acid. This means it’s a nutrient and, by supplementing it, you can help to promote normal healthy levels of GABA in the brain.

There is one problem, however. In the EU, GABA has been classified a medicine, meaning it is no longer available over the counter in the UK. You can buy GABA supplements on the Internet from countries such as the US, though.  GABA is made from taurine and glutamine to look for formulas containing these if you live in the UK.

If you can get hold of GABA, supplement 500 to 1,000mg, once or twice a day as a highly effective natural relaxant. But note that while it is not addictive, that doesn’t mean there are no side-effects in large amounts. Up to 2g a day has no reported downside; however, if you go up to 10g a day, this can induce nausea or even vomiting, and a rise in blood pressure. So use GABA wisely, especially if you already have high blood pressure, starting with no more than 1g a day, and do not exceed 3g a day. If you take it in the evening it also helps you get to sleep.

Taurine is another relaxing amino acid, similar in structure and effect to GABA. Many people think taurine is a stimulant because it is used in so-called ‘energy drinks’, but it is not. It helps you relax and unwind from high levels of adrenalin, much like GABA.

Taurine is highly concentrated in animal foods such as fish, eggs and meat. Vegetarians are therefore more likely to be at risk of deficiency. Try 500 to 1,000mg of taurine, twice daily. There are no known cautions or adverse effects at reasonable doses.

5-HTP and tryptophan – depleted by stress

Stress and anxiety also deplete serotonin, made from a form of the amino acid tryptophan called 5-HTP. From serotonin we make melatonin, which is needed for good sleep. You can supplement 5-HTP which can help to improve both mood and sleep, especially the ability to sleep through the night. 5-HTP is ten times more potent than tryptophan. You need 500 to 2,000mg of trpytophan, therfore 50 to 200mg of 5-HTP for a therapeutic effect.

Relaxing herbs – valerian, hops and passion flower

Valerian is an excellent anti-anxiety herb (Valeriana officinalis). As a natural relaxant it is useful for several disorders such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia and hysteria, and it has also been used as a sedative for ‘nervous’ stomach. Valerian acts on the brain’s GABA receptors, enhancing their activity and thus offering a similar tranquillising action as the Valium-type drugs but without the same side-effects. As a relaxant you need 50 to 100mg twice a day, and twice this amount 45 minutes before retiring for a good night’s sleep.

Since valerian potentiates sedative drugs, including muscle relaxants and antihistamines, don’t take it if you are on prescribed medication without your doctor’s consent. Valerian can also interact with alcohol, as well as certain psychotropic drugs and narcotics.

Hops (Humulus lupulus) are an ancient remedy for a good night’s sleep and probably included in beer for that reason. Hops help to calm nerves by acting directly on the central nervous system, rather than affecting GABA receptors. You need about 200mg per day, but the effect is much less than kava or valerian and most effective when taken in combination with these and other herbs such as passion flower.

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) was a favourite of the Aztecs, who used it to make relaxing drinks. It has a mild sedative effect and promotes sleep much like hops, with no known side-effects at normal doses. Passion flower can also be helpful for hyperactive kids. You need around 100 to 200mg a day. Combinations of these herbs are particularly effective for relieving anxiety and can really help break the pattern of reacting stressfully to life’s challenges.

These two, hops and passionflower, are better if you don’t want to be zonked out.

Increase magnesium

Magnesium is another important nutrient that helps you relax. It’s also commonly deficient and depleted by chronic stress, as is vitamin CWhat it does: Strengthens immune system – fights infections. Makes collagen, keeping bones, skin and joints firm and strong. Antioxidant, detoxifying pollutants and protecting against…. Magnesium not only relaxes your mind, it relaxes your muscles. Symptoms of deficiency therefore include muscle aches, cramps and spasms, as well as anxiety and insomnia. Low levels are commonly found in anxious people and supplementation can often help. You need about 500mg of magnesium a day. Seeds and nuts are rich in it, as are vegetables and fruit, but especially dark green leafy vegetables such as kale or spinach. I recommend eating these magnesium-rich foods every day and supplementing an additional 300mg. But, if you are especially anxious, and can’t sleep, supplement 300mg in the evening.

Stress reduction techniques

Some people need a little extra help to learn how to switch out of the adrenalin state. There are breathing and meditation techniques for this, as well as psychotherapeutic avenues to explore in dealing with the perceived stresses and causes for anxiety, and many of them can be extremely helpful. I have been particularly impressed by Heart Math techniques and also the effects of ‘vital energy’ exercises such as yoga, T’ai chi and also Psychocalisthenics.

In terms of supplements here’s what I recommend:

2 x High potency multivitamin with B vitamins, zincWhat it does: Component of over 200 enzymes in the body, essential for growth, important for healing, controls hormones, aids ability to cope with stress… 10mg and magnesium 100mg
2 x Vitamin C 1000mg
2 x Essential omegas providing both omega 3 and 6 fats
2 x a relaxing combination formula providing containing  GABA precursors (glutamine, taurine), 5-HTP, magnesium, hops and passion flower
OPTIONAL ALTERNATIVE to a combined relaxing formula: 2 x Valerian 50-100mg
OPTIONAL 2 x Chromium with Cinnulin® 200mcg

Cautions: Don’t exceed 3,000mg of GABA and consult your doctor before taking GABA or Valerian if you are on tranquillising medication or sleeping pills. Also, do not combine with alcohol.

If you’d like to dig deeper read The Stress Cure which includes key referenced studies.

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