If You Have Panic Attacks and Anxiety You Should Look for THIS Cause
If You Have Panic Attacks and Anxiety You Should Look for THIS Cause
About 2.4 million people experience panic attacks at least once in their lives. Other individuals experience chronic feelings of tension and fear, with no specific cause, that can be disabling. A recent study found that individuals who experienced panic attacks had measurably lower levels of both vitamin B6 and iron. This evidence suggests that individuals who experience panic attacks and other anxiety conditions may benefit from increasing these important nutrients in their daily diets.
Symptoms of A Panic Attack
A panic attack is characterized by racing heartbeat, sweating, weakness, breathing problems, nausea, trembling and a feeling of being out of control. In some cases, the anxiety may demonstrate as a phobic disorder, and the individual will experience a recurrent fear of heights, insects, snakes, or speaking in front of groups. Some people become fearful of leaving the home or attending social occasions. These phobias may involve a specific initial experience, or the anxiety may come out of the blue for no apparent reason. In many cases, the frequency and severity of the panic attack become progressively worse as the person grows ever fearful of the next attack. So, the fear of panic increases the likelihood of having an attack.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
A more generalized feeling of anxiety can also occur, when individuals feel constantly under stress, irritable, fatigued and restless, with chronic muscle tension, sleep disturbances, anger and difficulty concentrating. The symptoms can be severe and can interfere with the enjoyment and performance of task and activities in normal life. The individual may withdraw from the social activity because of the chronic discomfort and emotional distress.
RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Things to Do to Help Your Partner with Social Anxiety!
What Causes Panic Attacks and Anxiety?
A number of factors can put individuals at risk for developing a panic or anxiety disorder:
· Family history of panic attacks
· A major stressful event, such as a death or severe illness in someone close to the person
· Experiences of a traumatic event, such as a $e*ual assault, physical assault, or life-threatening accident
· A history of childhood $e*ual or physical abuse
· A major life change, such as the birth of a child or divorce
· Smoking or excessive caffeine consumption
Individuals who experience generalized anxiety disorder are more likely to be:
· Individuals with timid or negative personalities
· Individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders
· Women are at higher risk for anxiety than men
Study Finds Nutrient Deficiency Link to Panic Attacks
The National Institutes of Health cite a recent study that tested individuals who went to emergency rooms for panic attacks. They consistently found lower levels of vitamin B6 and lower iron levels in these individuals than the general population. The study suggests that a biochemical mechanism may be in place that affects the body’s ability to deal with normal anxiety and the response to stressful events. They pose the theory that improving B6 and iron in the bloodstream could be helpful for reducing symptoms of these disorders.
Who Could Benefit From Treatment of Low Vitamin B and Iron?
Individuals who are at risk for vitamin 6 and iron deficiency related panic and anxiety attacks are women of childbearing age, pregnant women, individuals with poor eating habits, those under treatment for medical conditions who many develop eating problems and individuals with eating disorders. These conditions could conceivably deplete normal vitamin B6 and iron levels in the body.
Getting Your Vitamin B6 Naturally
Vitamin B6 is associated with the healthy production of messaging molecules in the brain and nervous system. It is required for the synthesis of three important neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). If you experience panic attacks or anxiety on a recurring basis, changing your diet to include foods that are high in vitamin B6 can help to reduce the occurrence of these events. Foods that are high in vitamin B6 include:
· Tuna
· Spinach
· Cabbage
· Garlic
· Chicken
· Turkey
· Bell peppers
Natural Sources of Iron
Increasing the amount of iron-rich foods in your diet can also help to decrease the number and severity of panic attacks and anxiety attacks:
· Spinach
· Lamb
· Sardines
· Lentils
· Swiss chard
· Asparagus
· Romaine lettuce
· Lima beans
The right balance of vitamins and minerals in your diet can help you to feel better both physically and emotionally. Monitoring the levels of B6 and iron in your diet can ensure better health and relief from anxiety and panic disorder symptoms.