Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (96 page)

Siberian ginseng can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

The superfood spirulina can supply you with a full array of nutrients. Anxiety sufferers usually test deficient in nerve-nourishing minerals and vitamins and tend to respond well to superfoods and supplements.

Supplement with magnesium citrate. Magnesium is a natural muscle and nerve relaxant that gets used up during stress.

Supplement with chromium picolinate to keep blood-sugar levels stable.

Take vitamin B complex each morning. The B vitamins also tend to get used up by the adrenal glands when under stress and are important for blood-sugar control. Do not take B vitamins in the evening, as they can be overenergizing.

Take vitamin C for optimum adrenal function. Eat lots of berries and fruits for naturally occurring vitamin C.

Take niacinamide with meals to nourish the nerves and make you feel less jumpy.

Gaba (gamma amino butyric acid) can also ease panic attacks.

EXTRA TIPS

Get regular, moderate exercise. Brisk walking, swimming, and dancing are all good activities. Aim for at least 20 minutes a day.

Learn relaxation techniques. There are many ways of learning to relax, including yoga, meditation, tai chi, breathing exercises, and listening to relaxing music.

Use lavender essential oil. Lavender is an excellent relaxant. You can add a few drops to the bath or put some in an oil burner.

Eat small, regular meals and snacks to stabilize blood-sugar levels. It is also important to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, as these raise blood-sugar levels rapidly, followed by a slump when the adrenal glands kick in with stress hormones to bring levels up again. This can trigger a panic attack or feelings of anxiety.